Nucleotide sequence of the Buzura suppressaria single nucleocapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus polyhedrin gene

A portion of the genome of the Buzura suppressaria (Lepidoptera) single nucleocapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BsSNPV) containing the polyhedrin gene was sequenced. An open reading frame of 738 nucleotides encoded a protein of 246 amino acids and represented the polyhedrin gene. A conserved TAAG motif, associated with transcriptional start sites in other polyhedrin genes, was identified 51 nucleotides upstream of the BsSNPV polyhedrin gene. A putative polyadenylation signal, AATAAA, was found immediately downstream of the polypeptide termination codon. Comparison of the amino acid sequence of BsSNPV polyhedrin with other NPV polyhedrins and granulosis virus granulins showed that the BsSNPV polyhedrin was most closely related to the polyhedrin of Orgyia pseudotsugata (Lepidoptera) SNPV and most distantly related to the polyhedrin of Neodiprion sertifer (Hymenoptera) SNPV.

[Effects of Ilexonin A on chemical salpingitis induced tubal obstruction in rats]

Ilexonin A, a new drug in improving the blood circulation and microcirculation, is extracted from Ilicis pubescentis. The preventive and therapeutic effects of Ilexonin A on chemical salpingitis induced tubal obstruction (CSTO) with morphological and hemorheological change in rats was studied. Results showed that Ilexonin A was effective in treating (CSTO by oppositing the degeneration and necrosis of epithelium, inhibiting the hyperplasia of connective tissue, and reducing the infiltration of inflammatory cells. The improvement of morphology was more significant in treated groups than that in controls (P < 0.05-0.01). The indices concerning model rat's hemorheology were also analysed between treated groups and controls. It indicated that Ilexonin A could improve the viscosity of blood and aggregation of red blood cells. It is suggested Ilexonin A could promote the absorption of inflammatory substances as a result of improving hemorheology.

Brainstem auditory evoked responses from birth to adulthood: development of wave amplitude

Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) was recorded in children from birth to 6 years and adults to study the development of wave amplitude. The amplitudes of all BAER waves increased with age, the greatest changes occurring during early infancy. Adult values were reached at 6 months of age for wave I and 2 years for wave V. The two waves continued to increase above the adult values until the highest amplitude value was reached at 3 years for wave I and 5 years for wave V. Subsequently, the amplitudes decreased towards the values in adults. The V/I amplitude ratio, which was slightly than the adult value shortly after birth, decreased during the first year of life and reached the minimum value between 1 and 4 years. Thereafter, it increased towards the adult value. Throughout the maturational stages the ratio was smaller than in adults. The amplitude of wave V was relatively stable and its variation was much smaller than those of wave I and V/I amplitude ratio. Lower normative limits of these amplitude measures were given to provide a reference baseline for further study under the similar experimental conditions. We suggest that, in light of age-related differences of the V/I ratio, the normative criteria for the amplitude ratio should be established in relation to age. The amplitude of wave V is recommended to be useful in some clinical situations.

[Endoscopic ligature of the esophageal varix]

85 Patients with esophageal varix were treated by endoscopic ligature. Immediate hemostasis was obtained after the procedure in 36 of 39 patients with active bleeding esophageal varix (92.3%). The varix disappeared in 50 (58.5%) of the 85 patients after consecutive 3 to 4 procedures and ameliorated in the remaining patients.

Cultured mouse SR-1 cells exposed to low dose of gamma-rays become less susceptible to the induction of mutagenesis by radiation as well as bleomycin

The effect of pre-exposure of cultured mouse SR-1 cells to a low dose of gamma-rays on the induction of mutations at the hprt locus by subsequent high dose radiation or bleomycin was studied. When cells were pre-exposed to 0.01 Gy gamma-rays, the induction of mutations by a 3 Gy gamma-ray dose given 18 or 24 h later was significantly reduced as compared with those which did not receive the low dose pre-exposure. When cells were challenged with 5 or 10 micrograms/ml bleomycin for 12 h, which can produce double-strand breaks in DNA, instead of 3 Gy gamma-rays, a similar mutagenetic adaptive response was observed. We conclude that this resistance to radiation- or bleomycin-induced mutation is attributed to the induction of a DNA double-strand break repair mechanism.

[Clinical use of femoro-popliteal axial flap]

Since 1989, soft tissue defects of extremities in 20 patients were treated with the femoropopliteal axial flap. In a follow-up study of 6 to 12 months, satisfactory results with no complication were found in all the cases. This flap can be used as a free neurovascular flap or as an island flap to repair soft tissue defects of the lower limb. In this paper, the anatomy of the donor site and the procedure of operation are described.

Molecular analysis of human immunoglobulin V lambda germline genes: subgroups V lambda III and V lambda IV

Three human immunoglobulin V lambda germline genes have been isolated: two from the V lambda IV subgroup and one from the V lambda III subgroup. The V lambda III gene and one of the V lambda IV genes appear to be functional (each being utilized in at least two expressed V lambda genes), despite deviations from the reported consensus sequences in their promoter TATA-box and recombination signal sequence elements. The other V lambda IV gene is a pseudogene. Of the 20 human V lambda germline genes characterized to date, 45% are pseudogenes or vestigial genes.

Antitumor effects of new-type recombinant interleukin-2

Two new human recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2), 125-Ser-rIL-2, and 125-Ala-rIL-2, were generated by protein engineering technique. Both of them maintained the proliferation of natural killer (NK) cells, CTLL-2 cells and their long-term propagations. The mutated new rIL-2 also enhanced the bioactivity of NK cells and the cytotoxicity of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) against the target tumor cells. The above results were all compared with that of the native rIL-2 and a similarity between them was found, which indicates that new type rIL-2 could be used for adoptive immunotherapy of malignant diseases.

A multivariate study of protective effects of Zn and Cu against nephrotoxicity induced by cadmium metallothionein in rats

Factorial experimental design was used to study the protective effects of Zn and Cu on cadmium-metallothionein(CdMT)-induced nephrotoxicity in male Wistar rats. In the factorial design two levels of Zn (0 and 25 mg/kg body weight), two levels of Cu (0 and 12.5 mg/kg), and two levels of CdMT (0.1 and 0.4 mg of Cd/kg) were used as varied factors. The factorial design was complemented with a center point with all three variables at an intermediate setting, i.e., Zn at 12.5 mg/kg, Cu at 6.25 mg/kg, and CdMT at 0.25 mg Cd/kg. Each of the nine combinations of settings was administered to one of nine groups with six rats in each. Zn and Cu were injected sc 24 hr prior to the injection of CdMT. The concentrations of protein and Ca in urine and Ca in renal cortex were used as effects. The relationship between the experimental design settings and the effects were modeled with multiple regression. The multiple regression analysis revealed that for the high dose of CdMT (i) the enhanced values of protein in urine caused by CdMT injection could be more efficiently reduced by Zn than by Cu, and (ii) excessive Ca in urine and renal cortex could be more efficiently reduced by Cu than by Zn. No significant synergism or antagonism between Cu and Zn was found. These models can be used to estimate the dose levels of Zn and Cu which will reduce the toxic effects of CdMT. The treatment of 20.4 mg/kg Zn, for example, will reduce the effects of 0.4 mg Cd/kg as CdMT on protein in urine, and 2.8 mg/kg Cu will reduce the Ca in urine to the levels of those caused by 0.25 mg Cd/kg (no Zn and Cu). Similarly, the effect of 0.4 mg Cd/kg on Ca level in renal cortex can be reduced to that of 0.28 mg Cd/kg as CdMT by 7.98 mg Cu/kg, which is three times as efficient as Zn. The obtained results might be of importance in understanding the mechanism of cadmium toxicity and the potential risk to the health of the population exposed to cadmium occupationally or environmentally.

[Depressor effect of nucleus arcuatus stimulation in chronic stress-induced hypertensive rat]

Hypertension was induced by chronic foot-shock and noise stress in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Microinjection of 0.3 microliters (150 mmol) sodium glutamate (Glu) into the nucleus arcuatus (ARC) elicited a significant depressor effect in rats with chronic stress-induced hypertension. The depressor effect induced by excitation of ARC neurons was attenuated significantly by microinjection of 0.3 microliters beta-endorphin antiserum (beta-EPAS) into the dorso-medial periaqueductal gray (PAG) or 0.1 microliters into the area of locus coeruleus (LC) due to blockage of beta-endorphinergic fibres from ARC to PAG or LC.

Free medial gastrocnemius myocutaneous flap transfer with neurovascular anastomosis to treat Volkmann's contracture of the forearm

Some articles have reported the use of medial gastrocnemius transfer to repair soft-tissue defects caused by trauma and inflammation (Morris, 1978; Feldman et al., 1978; Arnold and Mixter, 1983). However, we have not found any report describing the use of free medial gastrocnemius myocutaneous flap transfer with neurovascular anastomosis to treat Volkmann's contracture of the forearm. Since 1982, 20 cases of Volkmann's contracture of the forearm have been treated by transfer of medial gastrocnemius flap with neurovascular anastomosis. These 20 patients ranged in age from 6-18 years, with a mean of 10 years. There were 18 males and 2 females. All cases resulted from ischaemia of the extrinsic and intrinsic muscles of the forearm and hand. The most common causes were severe supracondylar fractures or, less frequently, fracture-dislocations of the elbow. Six to twenty months after operation, the transplanted muscles exhibited normal electromyographic potentials, good volume and contractile power with satisfactory functional recovery of the forearms. The deformities of the hand and wrist were also corrected. In this paper we describe the anatomy of the donor site and the operative procedure.

Brainstem auditory evoked responses from birth to adulthood: normative data of latency and interval

Development of wave latency and interpeak interval (IPI) in brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAER) from birth to adulthood was examined. Adult equivalence was reached for most wave latencies and IPIs between the ages of 9 months and 3 years. The observation of the III-V/I-III interval ratio suggests that after term data the I-III IPI decreases more than the III-V IPI. I-III, III-V and I-V IPIs shortened from the l-month old group to the 4-6 year old group by 22%, 15% and 19% respectively. The III-V/I-III interval ration may be a useful BAER measure. Normative data of various BAER measures at different ages are presented. The slope of the L-I function for wave V was slightly steeper in younger groups than in older groups (40 microseconds/dB in the 1-month old group 32 microseconds/dB in the adult group). This change which was accompanied by an age-related difference in the absolute wave latency. It is suggested that age-dependent norms should be used in evaluation of the L-I function.

[Q-switched Nd:YAG laser surgery on vitreous traction bands]

The Q-switched Nd: YAG laser was used to cut vitreous traction bands in 20 eyes with an effective rate of 85%. The pulse energy ranged from 2.8-8.7mJ, and the total energy required was 196 +/- 155.3mJ. The distance of the laser beam focus to retinal surface was 3.7 +/- 2mm. Nd: YAG vitreolysis is an effective means in releasing traction bands and membranes in the posterior segment of the eye. Adaptation of a proper contact lens and optimal strength of energy with accurate focussing are conducive to increased efficacy and avoidance of retinal injury.

Development of early and late brainstem conduction time in normal and intrauterine growth retarded children

Development of early (I-III) and late (III-V) brainstem conduction time (BCT) in the brainstem auditory evoked responses was examined and compared in 178 appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) and 24 small-for-gestational-age (SGA) children from birth to 6 years of age. In AGA children, the III-V/I-III interval ratio increased with age from birth to 2 years and remained relatively steady. This indicates that the development of the early and late BCT, or probably the lower and upper brainstem is not synchronous during early childhood, with a slightly faster development of the early BCT relative to the late BCT. In SGA children, the I-V, I-III and III-V intervals showed similar developmental trends to those in AGA children. However, the III-V/I-III ratio followed a developmental course which differed remarkably from that in AGA children. The ratio decreased slightly with age up to 2 years and was consistently smaller than in normal children after 1 year, indicating that the relative development of early and late BCT deviates from normal. This finding suggests that prenatal factors responsible for intrauterine growth retardation could alter the late or long-term development of the nervous system, resulting in sub-optimal outcome.

Increased urinary calcium and magnesium excretion in rats injected with mercuric chloride

Mercuric chloride (HgCl2) is a classic nephrotoxic agent. While it is well established that HgCl2 can induce metallothionein synthesis in the kidney and also cause damage to the pars recta region of the renal tubule, the urinary losses of essential elements like calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) probably related to this process, have not been described. In this study, calcium, magnesium, metallothionein (MT), as well as sodium (Na) and potassium (K) in urine, kidney cortex and liver were measured in male Wistar rats after two daily injections of HgCl2 (0.5 or 1.0 mg Hg/kg body weight intraperitoneally). As compared with controls, there was a significant 3-4-fold increase in calcium excretion which reached its maximum at 8-12 and 32-36 hr after treatment with 1.0 mg Hg/kg. Urinary magnesium excretion was also increased in a similar way as the calcium excretion. At 12-16 hr, urinary magnesium in the 1.0 mg Hg/kg dose group was 3.4 times higher than that of the controls. Urinary MT level in HgCl2 treated rats was much higher than that in the controls, the maximum excretion was between 24-28 and 32-36 hrs preceeded by the peak of Hg in urine. Na and K concentrations in urine decreased significantly in rats treated with HgCl2. The present study thus demonstrates that increases of urinary calcium and magnesium excretion are early toxic effects of HgCl2 on the kidney. It gives support to the hypotheses implying these ion imbalances in the mechanism of elicitation of renal toxicity by mercury.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Short intussusception valves prevent reflux after jejunal interposition bilioduodenal anastomosis

Short whole circumference and semi-circumference intussusception valves were created in interposition cholecysto-jejunal-duodenal conduits in pigs to determine which method best prevented gastrointestinal reflux into the biliary tract. Following intravenous injection of 99 mTc-HIDA the time interval for its excretion from the liver and appearance in the duodenum was not different in either whole or semi-circumference valve animals or in controls without valves. After intragastric administration of 99 mTc-DTPA the relative radioactivity of gallbladder contents (reflux) in the cohort without valves was significantly higher than in both cohorts with valves. Animals with semi-circumferential valves in turn had significantly higher levels of nuclide than those with whole circumference valves. Reflux was observed grossly in 100% of animals without valves, in 20% of those with semi-circumference valves, and in no animals with whole circumference valves. This study indicates that both whole and semi-circumference intussusception valves placed in jejunal biliary conduits allow unimpeded flow of bile into the gastrointestinal tract. Whole circumference valves are more effective for prevention of reflux than semi-circumferential valves.

Intensity effect on latency and interval of human BAER

Intensity effect on wave latency and interval (IPI) in brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAER) from birth to adulthood was investigated. The L-I functions were slightly steeper in younger groups than in older groups, which was associated with age-related difference in the absolute latencies. Wave I latency in most age groups exhibited two "transitional" responses: one at 70 dB HL or, sometimes, at 60 dB HL and the other mostly at 20 dB HL. As click intensity decreased, the I-III IPI tended to decrease slightly while the III-V IPI tended to increase slightly in most age groups. Since the I-V IPI was constant at various intensities which could be attributed to a slight change in the morphology of wave III with altering intensity.

The effect of click rate on latency and interpeak interval of the brain-stem auditory evoked potentials in children from birth to 6 years

Latency and interpeak interval of the brain-stem auditory evoked potentials at different click rates were measured in 80 healthy children from birth to 6 years, and 21 adults. Clicks were presented at 10, 30, 50, 70 and 90/sec, and 70, 40 and 20 dB HL. At high stimulus intensity (70 dB SL), all latencies of waves I, III and V and the I-V, I-III and III-V intervals showed a progressive prolongation with increasing repetition rate. The latency- and the interval-rate functions were similar for all age groups but their slopes were slightly steeper in younger than in older. As click rate increased from 10/sec to 90/sec, the latencies of waves I, III and V at different age groups were prolonged by 4-10%, 9-13% and 12-15% respectively, and the intervals of I-V, I-III and III-V were prolonged by 15-16%, 8-16% and 14-24% respectively. The mean increments of wave V latency and I-V interval in different age groups were 0.404-0.575 and 0.332-0.526 msec respectively with increasing click rate from 10 to 50/sec, and 0.697-1.009 and 0.629-0.776 msec respectively with increasing click rate from 10 to 90/sec. The younger the age the larger the absolute increments for all these BAEP parameters, but the increasing rates for a BAEP measure were similar among different age groups, exhibiting no age-dependent differences.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Study of screening criteria for anemia among school children in China]

A study of 10,378 school children of 6-17 years old from six southern and northern provinces of china, where there was no hookworm disease or thalassemia was made. All the children selected were healthy, with normal development and well nourished. Abnormal children and national minorities were excluded. After taking vermifuge before experiment, the subjects were given FeSO4 tablet 100 mg/day for 60 days, at same time they were given dietary instructions. Hb was measured before taking FeSO4 and two weeks after stop taking the drug. Based on the results of Hb values of children with supplemented iron, deriving percentile curves, according to percentile 5 and the reference suggestions used at home and abroad, the following (criteria) for screening anemia of Chinese children are suggested: [table: see text]

[Effect of liu wei di huang or jin gui shen qi decoction as on adjuvant treatment in small cell lung cancer]

Eighty-three patients with small cell lung cancer were randomized with or without using a traditional Chinese Kidney-tonifying decoction (Liu Wei Di Huang or Jin Gui Shen Qi medicinal decoction) in chemotherapy or radiotherapy courses. 74 patients were availble to be analysis. The two treatment groups were well-matched in age, sex, stage and performance status. There was a statistically significant difference in response rate and the median survival between two groups. The overall response rate (CR+PR) was 91.5% for Chinese herb group and 46.9% for control group (P less than 0.001). The median survival was 16 months for the traditional Chinese Kidney-tonifying decoction group, and 10 months for the control group (P less than 0.05). Survival curve (Kaplan-meire's) of the Chinese herb group was better than that of the control group. 10 patients of Chinese herb group was alive beyond more than 2 years. Until now, 4 patients in the Chinese herb group, one in the control group are still enjoying their disease-free life for more than 7 years. Hematologic toxicities were observed much frequently in the patients of the control group (P less than 0.005 and 0.01/WBC and BPC). Results of animal experiments with the same traditional medicinal decoctions as used in clinic have showed immuno-enhancement activities. These results have showed that the traditional Chinese Kidney-tonifying decoction may enhance non-specific immunology activities and may be much useful for solid cancer patients as an adjuvant treatment.