Integration of chromosome set manipulation and transgenic technologies for fishes

Chromosome set manipulation techniques have significant implications for research of transgenic fish. Gynogenesis can be used to generate isogenic lines, to map genes in relation to their centromeres, and to produce fish carrying extra chromosome fragments of foreign origin. Androgenesis can be used to produce isogenic lines and to recover strains from cryopreserved sperm. Triploidy can be induced in fish with heat or pressure treatment of fertilized eggs and by crossing tetraploid individuals with normal diploids. Triploid fish are typically effectively sterile. Triploid interspecific hybrids are usually more viable than the corresponding diploid hybrids. Given concerns about potential reproduction of transgenic fish in the wild, induced triploidy could facilitate application of transgenic technologies in some situations.

Acute effects of sigma ligands on the electrophysiological activity of rat nigrostriatal and mesoaccumbal dopaminergic neurons

The effects of acute i.v. administration of several sigma ligands on the single-unit activity of nigrostriatal and mesoaccumbal dopaminergic (DA) neurons were evaluated in chloral hydrate-anesthetized rats. DTG (1,3-di(o-tolyl)guanidine) did not alter DA neuronal activity at nontoxic doses and JO 1784 [(+)-N-cyclopropylmethyl-N-methyl-1,4-diphenyl-1-ethylbut-3-en-1-+ ++ylamine] was inactive. (+)-Pentazocine was more effective in increasing mesoaccumbal vs. nigrostriatal DA cell firing rates. BMY 14802(alpha-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(5-fluoro-2-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazine-but anol) dose-dependently increased DA cell firing rate in both populations. The inhibition of nigrostriatal DA cell firing rate by (+)-3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-(1-propyl)piperidine [(+)-3-PPP] was reversed by (-)-eticlopride and (+)-but not (-)-butaclamol, which supports previous evidence that (+)-3-PPP-induced inhibition is due to the DA agonist properties of the drug. From what is known of the pharmacological properties of these compounds, it is concluded that acute sigma receptor occupation does not markedly alter the firing rate of DA neurons. The dose-response curve for inhibition of nigrostriatal DA neuronal activity by the D2 DA agonist, quinpirole, was shifted to the right tenfold by BMY 14802 pretreatment (8 mg/kg, i.v.) and twofold by (+)-pentazocine (8 mg/kg, i.v.), but was not changed by DTG (2 mg/kg, i.v.). It is concluded that the marked effects of certain sigma ligands on DA cell electrophysiology are likely due to their non-sigma properties.

Characterization of BIBS 39 and BIBS 222: two new nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonists

Two new nonpeptide angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonists, 4'-[(2-n-butyl-6-cyclohexylaminocarbonylamino-benzimidazole-1-yl)- methyl ] biphenyl-2-carboxylic acid (BIBS 39) and 2-n-butyl-1-[4-(6-carboxy-2,5-dichlorobenzoylamino)-benzyl]-6-N- (methylaminocarbonyl)-n-pentylamino-benzimidazole (BIBS 222) were characterized in radioligand binding assays, and in vitro and in vivo experiments. BIBS 39 displaced [125I] AII from its specific binding sites with a K(i) value of 29 +/- 7 nM for the AII subtype I (AT1) receptor and a K(i) value of 480 +/- 110 nM for the AII subtype 2 (AT2) receptor. BIBS 222 showed a K(i) value of 20 +/- 7 nM for the AT1 subtype and a K(i) value of 730 +/- 170 nM for the AT2 subtype. Thus BIBS 39 was 17 times more selective for the AT1 subtype and BIBS 222 37 times. Both compounds were specific for AII receptors as they did not show high affinity for other receptors. BIBS 39 shifted the AII concentration-contractile response curves in isolated rabbit aorta to the right in a parallel fashion. A pA2 value of 8.14 +/- 0.08 and a slope of 1.06 +/- 0.07 were calculated. BIBS 222 caused nonparallel shifts to the right and reduced the maximal response induced by AII by about 25%. A KB value of 9.01 (+/- 3.22) x 10(-8) M was determined. At 10(-5) M, neither compounds altered the contractile responses to noradrenaline and KCl. In pithed rats, BIBS 39 dose dependently shifted the dose-response curve of AII to the right without affecting the maximal response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pay-as-you-go public pensions with endogenous fertility

A 1986 "model of public pensions is generalized to allow for endogenous fertility. We show that gifts to the old, which can be viewed as social security contributions, are always positive in the steady state. An optimal stationary allocation is sustainable if savings are zero and fertility is exogenous. However, the optimal allocation is in general not sustainable. In particular, if a government enforces a social security plan setting the pension level at the optimal gifts and individuals optimize under the pension constraint, the resulting sustainable outcome is in general different from either the optimal or Nash outcome." The geographical focus is on developed countries.

Spin Susceptibility Scaling in High-Temperature Superconductors

The spin response of a nested Fermi surface represented by a tight binding energy band is found to exhibit scaling in frequency divided by temperature within a restricted regime close to half-filling of the band. Computations of the spin susceptibility reveal a surprising momentum variation at various temperatures and frequencies. Neutron scattering data on the high-temperature superconductor YBa(2)Cu(3)O(6+x) are analyzed for scaling near a momentum vector that spans nested regions of the orbit. Changes in the Fermi energy remove the scaling properties and reduce the susceptibility to the conventional Fermi liquid behavior of ordinary metals. These results imply that pairing mechanisms of superconductivity need to cope with competing spin density wave and charge density wave instabilities.

Intraluminal ultrasound imaging through a balloon dilation catheter in an animal model of coarctation of the aorta

BACKGROUND

Controversy still exists over the optimal balloon size, extent of vascular disruption, and long-term results of balloon dilation therapy for coarctation of the aorta. Intravascular ultrasound imaging has been used in patients with coronary artery disease to provide further insight into the anatomy of atherosclerotic lesions and the results of angioplasty and atherectomy. Initial observations of the results of balloon dilation of coarctations with intravascular ultrasound imaging have shown prominent dissections of the inner vascular layers that are often not detected by angiography. The purpose of this study was to test a new transballoon catheter ultrasonic imaging system capable of on-line direct visualization of lumen diameter and vessel wall structure for imaging before, during, and after dilation in an acute animal model of aortic coarctation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Abdominal aortic coarctations were created surgically in three 14-19-kg mongrel dogs by using Teflon gauze ties. The 6.8F ultrasound balloon catheter was placed percutaneously in the right femoral artery through a 9F sheath. Ultrasound imaging allowed measurement of the coarctation diameter, characterization of the vessel wall structure, localization of the stenosis, and placement of the midportion of the balloon at the narrowest area. Imaging through the balloon was performed through several dilations (five to eight per animal), and after balloon deflation, it provided information on postdilation diameter, intimal tears, long-segment dissections, and intramural thrombi, findings that were confirmed at postmortem examination.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study demonstrate that imaging with a new intraballoon ultrasound device is feasible during inflation to therapeutic dilation pressures; it allows visualization of the changes in diameter and vascular wall structure after serial dilations without having to recross the obstructed area. Adaptation to larger balloon sizes and lower frequencies should make this system applicable to interventional catheterizations in patients with congenital cardiac and vascular lesions.

Diagnostic exploration of enlarged peripheral nerves in suspected cases of leprosy. An analysis of 55 cases

In 55 cases presenting with enlarged peripheral nerves without any skin lesions, a rice grain-sized biopsy of the nerve lesion was taken for histopathological examination. As a result definitive diagnoses could be established: leprosy was diagnosed in 32 cases. In 23 cases the cause of nerve enlargement was not leprosy: post-traumatic neuritis 9, cysts 5, hypertrophic neuritis 3, nonspecific 4, neurofibroma 1, and amyloidosis 1. In all of these cases there was a deficit of the nerve function and postoperatively there were no complications. The authors, as a result of this experience, believe that surgical exploration and biopsy is a harmless diagnostic tool for establishing a definitive diagnosis of leprosy in cases presenting with enlarged peripheral nerves without any skin lesions. In 23 out of 55 such cases the nerve enlargement was proved to be other causes than leprosy.

[A study on the role of immunosuppression in the pathogenesis of brucellosis]

An immunosuppressive effect was seen in murine brucellosis as detected by using plaque forming cell (PFC) and 3H-labelled lymphocyte blastogenesis transformation (LBT) assays. The immunosuppression PFC could last until 11 months after infection, while that of LBT was only seen at 3 months after infection. This immunosuppression could be relieved by using immunomodulators such as levamisole, bestatin, IL-2 and polyporus umbellatus. IL-2 and polyporus umbellatus could reverse the suppression to normal levels. Thus, this study provided evidence that immunosuppression is a component of pathogenesis of brucellosis.

Redesigning, implementing and integrating Escherichia coli genome software tools with an object-oriented database system

This paper reports our exploratory work to redesign, implement and integrate a collection of genome software tools with an object-oriented database system. Our software tools deal with genome data from Escherichia coli K-12, a bacterium that has been studied intensively and provides richer data sets than any other living organism. The object-oriented DBMS used for the integration is ONTOS, a commercial object-oriented system from Ontologic Inc. This redesign and implementation task was performed in two steps. First, C programs were converted into C++, and then the C++ version programs were modified and integrated with an object-oriented modeling of the data to form an ONTOS database application. The first step helps us develop a conceptual view for a DBMS-independent object-oriented construct. The second step elucidates what additional DBMS-dependent modification steps are needed to provide persistency to the objects. Examples are included to illustrate steps of the redesign and implementation. Overall, the outcome of this project demonstrates that programs and data can be successfully integrated with an object-oriented database, while providing the objects with persistency and shareability. This paper includes discussions using concrete examples on what advantage the object-oriented database approach provides over the relational database approach.

[Pathological and immunohistochemical study on 63 cases of brain metastases from the lung]

Pathologic analysis of 63 cases of brain metastases from lung was reported. The specimens of all cases were labelled by 4 antibodies (HLC3-AB, CEA, Keratin, GFAP), by means of ABC method. According to our data, brain metastases from lung accounted for 50.4% of whole brain metastases. Lobus frontalis was the most common intracranial metastatic site of lung cancer. Four histopathological types were classified: adenocarcinoma (55.6%), undifferentiated carcinoma (17.4%), adenosquamous carcinoma (14.3%) and squamous cell carcinoma (12.7%). The immunohistochemical results showed that HLC3-AB is a helpful marker in identifying brain metastases from lung cancer. GFAP showed negative in malignant cells but positive in stroma. This result suggested that the stroma of brain metastases contains ingredients originating from astro-gliofibre.

[Transaxillary approach first rib resection for thoracic outlet syndrome]

From 1981 to 1991, 26 patients with thoracic outlet syndrome were treated by transaxillary first rib resection. Investigation of its indications, modes and results showed that this is one of the ideal methods of treatment for thoracic outlet syndrome.

Characterization of the V0 domain of the coated vesicle (H+)-ATPase

The coated vesicle (H+)-ATPase is composed of two domains, a peripheral V1 domain containing the 73 (A subunit)-, 58 (B subunit)-, 40-, 34-, and 33-kDa subunits and an integral V0 domain containing the 100-, 38-, 19-, and 17 (c subunit)-kDa subunits (Adachi, I., Puopolo, K., Marquez-Sterling, N., Arai, H., and Forgac, M. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 967-973). In the present manuscript we characterize the V0 domain with respect to its structural and activity properties. Glycerol density gradient separation of solubilized coated vesicle membrane proteins reveals the presence of an excess of V0 domains which migrate with a molecular weight of 250,000 and contain the V0 polypeptides in the same stoichiometry as in the intact V1V0 complex. Like the c subunit in V1V0, the c subunit of the free V0 domain is labeled by [14C]N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) and is extracted by chloroform:methanol. In addition, a monoclonal antibody specific for the 100-kDa subunit of the intact (H+)-ATPase recognizes the 100-kDa subunit of V0. Tryptic cleavage of the V0 complex gives the same pattern of fragments for the 100- and 38-kDa subunits as in the intact complex, but with an increase in sensitivity, suggesting greater exposure of these subunits in free V0. Proton conduction was measured in reconstituted vesicles containing the V0 domain and in native vesicles stripped of V1. No DCCD-inhibitable proton conduction was observed in either preparation, suggesting that unlike the corresponding F0 domain of F1F0, the free V0 domain is not an open proton channel.

A uridine-rich sequence required for translation of prokaryotic mRNA

Binding of 30S ribosomal subunits to mRNA during the initiation of prokaryotic translation is known to be influenced by the initiation codon and the Shine-Dalgarno sequence. Site-directed mutagenesis of rnd, the Escherichia coli gene encoding RNase D, has now shown that a U8 sequence upstream of the Shine-Dalgarno region is also essential for expression of this mRNA. Alteration of two to five uridine residues within this sequence has no effect on mRNA levels but decreases RNase D protein and activity by as much as 95%, indicating that the U-rich sequence acts as an enhancer of translation. Moreover, mutant transcripts bind to 30S ribosomes in vitro with lower affinity than their wild-type counterparts, suggesting that the role of the U8 sequence is in the initial binding of ribosomes to the translation initiation region of the message. These data demonstrate that sequences other than those previously recognized can be essential for translation initiation.

Pregnancy-induced hypertension in North Carolina, 1988 and 1989

INTRODUCTION

Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is a highly prevalent pregnancy complication with adverse effects on maternal and infant health. Epidemiologic research concerning its etiology is limited.

METHODS

Birth records from North Carolina for the period 1988 through 1989 included an indication of the presence of PIH. The risk of PIH was examined in relation to several maternal characteristics and exposures, including reproductive history, demographic characteristics, and tobacco use during pregnancy. Risk ratio estimates, adjusted for confounders, were calculated contrasting PIH among exposed vs unexposed women.

RESULTS

The overall risk of PIH was 43.1 per 1000 births, with multiple pregnancies, nulliparity, and advanced maternal age associated with markedly increased risks. Tobacco use was inversely associated with PIH, and Blacks and Whites were at virtually equal risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Problems in diagnosis and classification impede research in this area, with birth certificates limited in quality and breadth of information. Nonetheless, several patterns emerged that are worthy of further epidemiologic evaluation using more sophisticated designs.

Moderate physical activity and bone density among perimenopausal women

We examined the association between physical activity and bone mineral density (BMD) among 352 perimenopausal women. A personal activity computer was used to estimate the daily energy expenditure on physical activity. BMD was measured by photon absorptiometry at the lumbar spine, midradius, and distal radius. Multiple linear regression, controlling for other factors, indicated that physical activity was positively and significantly associated with BMD at all sites. Moderate physical activity has beneficial effects on BMD among perimenopausal women.

Biochemical studies on the activity of delta-(L-alpha-aminoadipyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine synthetase from Streptomyces clavuligerus

The enzyme activity of purified delta-(L-alpha-aminoadipyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine (ACV) synthetase from Streptomyces clavuligerus was studied biochemically. The dependence of ACV synthetase activity on reaction parameters, including substrates, cofactors, temperature and pH, were determined, resulting in a substantially increased enzyme activity. The activity is very labile to high temperature and is also unstable at acidic pH. The enzyme specificity is strict towards L-alpha-aminoadipate, but rather loose with respect to L-valine; certain modifications of L-cysteine can also be tolerated. Some unnatural tripeptides synthesized by ACV synthetase can be converted into bioactive compounds by isopenicillin N synthase. The only nutrient found to negatively affect ACV synthetase activity is phosphate, but various compounds such as thiol-blocking reagents and ATP-utilization products (AMP and pyrophosphate) are inhibitory to the enzyme.

Large scale expansion of human tumor infiltrating lymphocytes with surface-modified stimulator cells for adoptive immunotherapy

Expansion of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in vitro is hampered by several factors, including a limited amount of lymphocytes obtained from different tumors, unknown target antigens and limited supply of antigen-presenting cells (APC) which are generally believed to be essential in the classical way of T cell stimulation and expansion. In approaching these difficulties, we have recently used surface-oxidized allogeneic PBL to stimulate the TIL periodically in the presence of a low dose of rIL-2 (200 IU/ml). TIL derived from 22 (out of 23) tumor specimens could be expanded with 20 -10(7) fold increases over 6-16 weeks to a sufficient amount of 10(9) -10(11) cells for adoptive immunotherapy. In contrast, only 2-100 fold increase were observed in six tumor specimens (out of 23) when 200 IU/ml rIL-2 was used only. The phenotypes, autologous tumor reactivity and cytolytic capability of TIL propagated with surface-oxidized stimulators were similar to those expanded in the presence of IL-2 alone. These data suggest that expanding TIL with surface-modified stimulator cells could be a useful alternative method to obtain a large amount of tumor specific cytolytic T cells for clinical immunotherapeutic use, irrespective of tumor-antigen stimulation and MHC restriction.

[Trend analysis of causes of death among the population in Shandong Province from 1970 to 1974 and from 1981 to 1989]

This report showed the general mortality and changes of mortality distribution among the population in Shandong province in the early 1970S and in 1980S, through data analysis of causes of death in the Province from 1970 to 1974 and from 1981 to 1989. In the past 20 years, the mortality in respiratory diseases increased by 19.21%, ranking the first among the leading causes of death; the mortality in malignant tumors and cerebrovascular diseases increased by +7.15% and 75.31% respectively, rising from the third and fourth to the second and third leading causes of death, the mortality in heart diseases changed little, remaining in the fourth leading cause of death; the mortality in infectious diseases decreased by 78.22%, dropping from the second place in the early 1970S to the eighth place.

A case-control study of paternal smoking and birth defects

Although the influence of paternal smoking on birth defects is of great public interest, epidemiological evidence concerning this potential relationship is extremely limited. A stratified random sample of 29 hospitals in the Shanghai Municipality, China, was used to select 1012 birth defects cases and controls. Mothers of the cases and controls were interviewed in the hospitals from October 1986 to September 1987. A modest relationship between paternal smoking and overall birth defects in offspring was identified [odds ratio (OR) = 1.21, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-1.45]. More markedly elevated risks were identified for anencephalus (OR = 2.1), spina bifida (OR = 1.9), pigmentary anomalies of the skin (OR = 3.3) and varus/valgus deformities of the feet (OR = 1.8). Our analysis also shows that paternal smoking is more likely to be associated with multiple rather than isolated malformations. A paternally-mediated effect of smoking on birth defects is suggested and further studies are encouraged.

Mutating the charged residues in the binding pocket of cellular retinoic acid-binding protein simultaneously reduces its binding affinity to retinoic acid and increases its thermostability

Three-dimensional modeling of the complex between retinoic acid-binding protein (CRABP) and retinoic acid suggests that binding of the ligand is mediated by interaction between the carboxyl group of retinoic acid and two charged amino acids (Arg-111 and Arg-131) whose side chains project into the barrel of the protein. To assess the contribution of these amino acids to protein-ligand interaction, amino acid substitutions were made by oligonucleotide-directed, site-specific mutagenesis. The wild-type and mutant proteins were expressed in E. coli and subsequently purified. Like wild-type CRABP, the mutant proteins are composed mainly of beta-strands as determined by circular dichroism in the presence and absence of ligand, and thus presumably are folded into the same compact barrel structure as the wild-type protein. Mutants in which Arg-111 and Arg-131 are replaced by glutamine bind retinoic acid with significantly lower affinity than the wild-type protein, arguing that these two residues indeed interact with the ligand. The mutant proteins are more resistant to thermal denaturation than wild-type CRABP in the absence of retinoic acid, but they are not as thermostable as the CRABP-retinoic acid complex. These data suggest a model for CRABP-retinoic acid interaction in which the repulsive forces between the positively-charged arginine residues provide conformational flexibility to the native protein for retinoic acid to enter the binding pocket. Elimination of the positively-charged pair of amino acids produces a protein that is more thermostable than wild-type CRABP but less effective at ligand-binding.

[Effects of prolonged darkness and background illumination on cone horizontal cells in carp retina: a correlative study of morphology and physiology]

Using intact, immobilized carp preparations, changes in light responsiveness of cone horizontal cells and ultrastructures of their terminals in cone pedicles (HCTs) were correlatively examined in prolonged (greater than 2 h) darkness and after the presentation of a dim background light. Following background illumination cone horizontal cells exhibit high light responsiveness and HCTs give rise to a lot of long, fingerlike or ball-like extensions, called slender or round spinules. When the retina is left in the dark for more than 2 h, the light responsiveness of these cells is depressed, which is accompanied by a dramatic decrease of spinules. Thus light responsiveness of the cone horizontal cells seems to be well correlated with the number of spinules. The results suggest that spinules may play an important role in regulating light responsiveness of cone horizontal cells following background illumination by altering the efficacy of signal transfer across the synapses between cone photoreceptors and cone horizontal cells.

Activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase associates with membrane skeleton in thrombin-exposed platelets

Human platelets undergo a rapid, major reorganization of the cytoskeletal matrix upon exposure to thrombin, and accumulate 3-phosphorylated phosphoinositides in a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent manner. These phosphoinositides have been suggested to be involved in actin polymerization/depolymerization. We reasoned that, if newly generated 3-phosphorylated phosphoinositide modulates cytoskeletal reorganization, a prerequisite for such action would be generation near cytoskeletal proteins. We have found that, after platelet activation, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and phosphatidylinositol(4)P 3-kinase activities, antibody-detectable phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and PKC become markedly and specifically enriched in a Triton X-100-insoluble cytoskeletal fraction that contains GPIIb/IIIa (integrin) and pp60c-src. The cytoskeletal fraction then accounts for up to 70% of total phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity, a function of recruited activated enzyme. These proteins are not occluded or directly associated with newly polymerized actin, since blockage by cytochalasin D of actin polymerization, and consequent inhibition of accumulation of about 40% of incremental protein and actin in this fraction, has no effect on its content of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, GPIIb/IIIa, pp60c-src, or PKC. Depolymerization of actin with DNase I, or inhibition of ligand binding to GPIIb/IIIa by RGDS, however, in combination with cytochalasin D, further depletes actin and significantly decreases sedimentability of GPIIb/IIIa as well as phosphoinositide 3-kinase, pp60c-src, and PKC, without inhibiting total 3-kinase activity. Our results suggest that, as a function of platelet activation, enzymes that regulate the synthesis of 3-phosphorylated phosphoinositides rapidly associate with the membrane skeleton and that skeletally associated phosphoinositide 3-kinase is more active than the Triton-soluble form.

Role of progesterone and oestradiol in the regulation of uterine oxytocin receptors in ewes

The interaction between oestrogen and progesterone in the regulation of the uterine oxytocin receptor in sheep was evaluated by measuring the binding of oxytocin to membrane preparations of caruncular and intercaruncular endometrium and myometrium. Ovariectomized ewes were assigned in groups of five to each cell of a 4 x 2 factorial design. The four treatments were (a) vehicle (maize oil) for 12 days, (b) progesterone (10 mg day-1) for 9 days, (c) progesterone for 9 days followed by maize oil until day 12 and (d) progesterone for 12 days. The two oestradiol treatments consisted of the administration of implants in the presence or absence of oestradiol. The ewes were killed on day 10 (group b) or day 13 (groups a, c and d) for collection of uterine tissues. The response of the caruncular and intercaruncular endometrium to the treatments was similar. In the absence of oestradiol, treatment with progesterone continuously for either 9 or 12 days reduced the concentration of the oxytocin receptor in comparison with both the control and the progesterone withdrawal group (in which values were similar). The presence of oestradiol reduced the receptor concentrations in control and both 9- and 12-day continuous progesterone treatment groups, but enhanced the concentration in the progesterone withdrawal group. The myometrial oxytocin receptors responded in a similar way to those in the endometrium to progesterone treatment alone, but the addition of oestradiol produced no further effect. In conclusion, progesterone and oestradiol caused downregulation of the endometrial oxytocin receptor. On the other hand, progesterone withdrawal, similar to that which occurs during luteolysis, increased receptor density in the presence of oestradiol. Progesterone may influence the response of the myometrium to oxytocin by causing a reduction in receptor density.

Risk factors associated with antepartum fetal death

This study examined risk factors that contribute to antepartum fetal death. The population-based sample included 416 antepartum fetal deaths and 449 normal births as controls, from 29 hospitals in Shanghai, China. In addition to small-for-gestational-age and severe pregnancy-induced hypertension, exposure to environmental hazards (radiation, chemicals and pesticides) was significantly associated with fetal death. Elevated relative risk of fetal death was also found in pregnant women whose husbands smoked (adjusted odds ratio = 1.4). Clinicopathologic evidence further confirmed that exposure to hazards, especially in the first trimester, increased the risks of congenital anomalies (odds ratio = 2.7) and antepartum fetal death from congenital malformations (odds ratio = 3.5). This study also showed that threatened abortion was a significant predictor of risk of fetal death. No significant relationships were identified between sex of fetus, mild or moderate pregnancy-induced hypertension, maternal anemia and antepartum fetal death.

[Chemical constituents of Rhodiola kirilowii (Reg.) Reg]

Three compounds were isolated from the water-soluble part of alcohol extracts of rhizomes of Rhodiola kirilowii. Two of them were identified as salidroside and tyrosol, respectively by chemical and spectral analysis. beta-sitosterol was obtained from the petroleum extracts of the plant.

Cloning, mapping, and sequencing of 3' and its flanking region of bovine alpha-s1 casein gene

A positive clone was isolated from a bovine genomic library in EMBL3 with the probe of alpha-s1 casein gene cDNA. The results from both restriction endonuclease digestion and Southern hybridization probed with the upstream and downstream fragments from the termination codon of bovine alpha-s1 casein gene cDNA suggested that the clone contained 3.5 kb downstream and 10.2 kb upstream fragments from the termination codon of alpha-s1 casein gene. Some divergences in restriction endonucleases sites, a few deletions, and many point mutations were found in introns and exons when compared with those which were published.

Non-Equilibrium Reactions of α-Phase PrOx With O2

In this paper we use electron diffraction and high-resolution imaging techniques to study the structural consequences of rapid cooling, to room temperature, of fine particles of praseodymium oxide prepared as the disordered α-phase in the composition range from PrO1.78 to PrO1.83 These experiments reveal that particles of the disordered fluorite phase, prepared at higher temperatures, pass through many steps of order as they cool and oxidize to ordered intermediate structures in their near-surface regions. The entities that bring about this transformation are condensed vacant oxygen sites that segregate on {220} planes and finally order to give members of the even-n homologous series PrnO2n-2. The unit cells for new members of the series with n assumed to be 16 are reported.

[Influence of moxibustion on TXA2 and PGI2 in plasma of rat infected epidemic hemorrhagic fever virus (EHFV)]

In this paper, the model of rat infected EHFV was made and the influence of moxibustion on TXA2 and PGI2 in its plasma was observed. The results show that the content of TXA2 increased and PGI2 decreased in rat significantly after the abdominal inoculation of EHFV, and the content of TXA2 decreased and PGI2 increased markedly in rat infected EHFV to normal level after treatment with moxibustion, suggesting that the regulative function of moxibustion on TXA2 and PGI2 is one of its nerve-endocrine-immune regulations to the body, and there is an important significance. This study provides an important reference for mechanism exploration of moxibustion preventing and treating EHF.