Flow Cytometric Characteristics of Sperm Cells Isolated from Pollen of Zea mays L

Sperm cells have been isolated from pollen of maize (Zea mays L.) and purified with Percoll density centrifugation. Their flow cytometric characteristics were determined on a FACScan flow cytometer with the fluorescent dyes, fluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide. Freshly isolated sperm cells appeared as a dot cluster on the forward scatter and side scatter dot plot. This dot cluster contained 85 to 95% of the 10 thousand counts collected. More than 98% of cells from the cluster were fluorescein diacetate positive, with no propidium iodide positivity, indicating high cell viability. After 5 hours in 15% (w/v) sucrose at room temperature (23 degrees C), scattering properties, cell number, and percentage of fluorescein diacetate-positive cells remained the same. In contrast, Brewbaker and Kwack salts in 15% sucrose resulted in the emergence of a new cell population, as well as a decrease in cell number at 5 hours. Further investigations with individual components of the Brewbaker and Kwack salts showed that calcium was mainly responsible for the deleterious effects. These results demonstrate the utility of flow cytometry as a tool to determine viability and to monitor morphological changes of plant sperm cells and to challenge current views on the ability of Brewbaker and Kwack salts to maintain viability of isolated sperm cells.

Small cell carcinoma of prostate: effectiveness of hormonal versus chemotherapy

Small cell carcinoma of the prostate is rare and associated with a rapidly fatal course. Since 1977, 47 cases have been reported in the world literature with data from 3 additional cases presented herein. The purpose of our review was to determine the effectiveness of hormonal versus chemotherapy. Thirty-four of the 50 cases have known clinical histories. Four patients were not treated, and all were dead of their disease within an average of 2.75 months. Six patients were eliminated from our review because small cell carcinoma was discovered at autopsy. Another 5 cases were omitted because hormonal +/- chemotherapy had already been given for a previous diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, but no specific therapy was given once the small cell carcinoma developed. Of the remaining 19 cases, only 2 have survived. One is still alive forty-three months after hormonal treatment, and another is alive with disease six months after the initiation of hormonal therapy and chemotherapy. Five patients were given hormonal therapy only, and none of them responded. In 4 patients chemotherapy was given after hormonal therapy had failed, and they too died of their disease within a short period of time. However, an additional 8 patients were treated with immediate chemotherapy +/- hormonal therapy and had substantially longer clinical remissions. Therefore, although small cell carcinoma is a uniformly fatal disease, immediate chemotherapy should be considered to promote better clinical remissions.

Early detection of local disease progression from stage A1 prostate carcinoma by transrectal ultrasonography

Fifty-two patients with Stage A1 prostate cancer diagnosed by transurethral resection performed between 1975 and 1989 were re-examined by transrectal ultrasonography and ultrasonographically guided biopsies. Follow-up after the initial diagnosis ranged from 1 to 15 years (mean, 5.8 years). For eight patients, results of digital rectal examination were abnormal. For 44 patients, results were normal or indicated a low probability of cancer. Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels (4.6 to 14.6 ng/ml) were elevated in ten patients. Ultrasonography showed from one to three hypoechoic areas in 29 patients. Locally progressive disease, defined as moderately to poorly differentiated cancer, was detected in five (10%) patients, three of whom underwent radical prostatectomy. Histopathologic examination of the specimens revealed localized disease (no capsular invasion). The remaining two patients had radiation therapy. In three patients, results of digital rectal examination and the serum PSA level were normal, but focal, well-differentiated cancer, identical to that initially diagnosed, was detected after a follow-up of 5 to 10 years. Because the clinical significance of this finding is unknown, these three patients were not considered to have progressive disease and did not have additional treatment. Our data suggest that transrectal ultrasonography is valuable in early detection of local disease progression and should be used in the follow-up program for patients with Stage A1 prostate cancer.

Mechanism of the nephrogenic repair response. Studies on proliferation and vimentin expression after 35S-1,2-dichlorovinyl-L-cysteine nephrotoxicity in vivo and in cultured proximal tubule epithelial cells

Studies were performed in vivo using 35S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine, a nephrotoxin that damages the S3 segment of the proximal tubule after metabolism to a reactive intermediate. Initiation of damage (35S covalent binding) was complete by 6 hour, and an early proliferative response was observed by 24 hour in the S2 or S3C segments. Necrosis in the S3M and increased blood urea nitrogen were maximal at 48 hours and were accompanied by an increase in proliferation of cells at the wound site. Regeneration was marked by the appearance of vimentin expressing cells that lacked brush border enzymes. The loss of differentiated character in the regenerative epithelium persisted after the proliferation (bromodeoxyuridine incorporation) had stopped; redifferentiation occurred between days 5 and 13. Much of the process was reproduced by culturing rat kidney proximal tubule epithelial cells in defined medium. As growth increased, the cells expressed vimentin and lost brush border marker enzymes. However, as the cells reached high density and stopped dividing there was an increase in brush border markers, as was seen in vivo. Vimentin expression did not decrease, however. The data support a mechanism for damage and nephrogenic repair composed of 1) interaction of the toxin with the target cells, 2) necrosis and exfoliation, 3) loss of differentiation and cell growth, 4) recovery of the damaged area and cessation of cell growth, and 5) differentiation of the quiescent cells. Nephrogenic repair may have similarities with the differentiation of the tubular epithelium during development.

[Compatibility of Chinese drugs radix Aconiti carmichaeli with rhizoma Pinelliae]

To find out whether the Chinese drug Radix Aconiti Carmichaeli is compatible with another Chinese drug Rhizoma Pinelliae in preparation, the two medicinal herbs were made into different forms of decoctions. Experiments with these decoctions were carried out to observe the action on isolated hearts of toads and the ECG and acute toxicity on mice. The results showed that in terms of toxicity there was no marked increase in the mixed decoction as compared with the other two decoctions prepared from Radix Aconiti Carmichaeli and Rhizoma Pinelliae separately.

Transurethral balloon dilatation of the prostatic urethra: effectiveness in highly selected patients with prostatism

Transurethral balloon dilatation of the prostate has been shown to be a safe and potentially effective alternative to surgery in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, with a 66% success rate in relatively unselected patients. This study hypothesized that more careful patient selection might result in a significantly better rate of improvement. Ninety-one subjects with symptoms and signs of prostatism attributable to benign prostatic hyperplasia were studied. Group 1 comprised 42 patients with an initial mean symptom score of 16.8, residual urine of 249 ml, maximal flow rate of 7.9 ml/sec, and nomogram of maximal flow rate of -1.5. Group 2 comprised 49 less symptomatic patients with an initial mean symptom score of 14.5, residual urine of 105 ml, maximal flow rate of 10.7 ml/sec, and nomogram of maximal flow rate of -0.8. The difference in mean age and prostate size between groups was not statistically significant, but differences in baseline symptom score, residual urine, maximal flow rate, and nomogram of maximal flow rate were significant (p less than .04). Transurethral balloon dilatation of the prostate was performed under local anesthesia or IV sedation and analgesia with single-or double-balloon catheters with maximal diameters of 25-30 mm inflated to 2.5-4.0 atmospheres pressure for 10 min. Patients were followed up with repeat symptom scoring, uroflometry, and measurement of residual urine. After a mean follow-up of 22 months (range, 6-48 months), an improvement in symptom score was seen in 80% of group 2 patients compared with 43% in group 1. Improvement in symptom scores was statistically significant in both groups (p less than .04). We conclude that transurethral balloon dilatation of the prostate is more effective in patients with more moderate symptoms and with less marked signs of obstruction than in patients with more marked prostatism.

Synchronous bilateral testicular germ cell tumors of different histologic type. Pathogenetic and practical implications of bilaterality in testicular germ cell tumors

Patients with a germ cell tumor (GCT) in one testicle are prone to develop cancer in the contralateral testicle. Metachronous development of a GCT in the remaining testicle occurs in 3% of patients. The synchronous development of bilateral GCT occurs in 0.5% of patients. Bilateral testicular neoplasms are almost always identical histologically. Only five cases of synchronous bilateral GCT of different histologic types have been reported in the literature. The authors report the sixth case of this uncommon phenomenon and discuss its clinical and pathogenetic implications.

[Application of polychotomous logistic regression in the study of risk factors predisposed to postpartum hemorrhage]

To determine the role of history of induced abortion and pregnancy induced hypertension in postpartum hemorrhage, a polychotomous logistic regression method was introduced to analyze the data gathered in an investigation of blood loss among 933 parturients in some counties of Sichuan and Ningxia provinces. The results show that postpartum hemorrhage caused by placenta factors is related to a history of induced abortion and pregnancy induced hypertension with relative risks 2.55 (95% confidence interval = 1.2-5.3) and 4.94 (95% confidence interval = 1.8-13.2), respectively. An increased risk was noted for postpartum hemorrhage associated with pregnancy induced hypertension (relative risk = 2.58, 95% confidence interval = 1.3-5.2), but not with induced abortion. Suggestions were made for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage.

High-performance self-pumped phase conjugator with a multichannel in KNSBN:Cu crystal

A Cu-doped (0.04 wt. %) (K(0.5)Na(0.5))(0.2)(Sr(0.61) Ba(0.39))(0.9)Nb(2)O(6) crystal produced as much as 68% self-pumped phaseconjugate reflectivity at the laser wavelength lambda = 514.5 nm. We also observed some phenomena that helped us to understand the mechanism for the self-pumped phase-conjugate mirror.

Ureteral pseudodiverticula: frequent association with uroepithelial malignancy

Ureteral pseudodiverticula are tiny outpouchings usually seen as incidental findings on retrograde urography during routine work-up for common urinary tract disorders. We report 37 patients with ureteral pseudodiverticula, of whom 17 (46%) had associated uroepithelial malignancy. Ureteral pseudodiverticula were diagnosed in all patients on excretory or retrograde urography as an incidental finding during evaluation for a variety of urologic symptoms and signs. All patients were assessed with urinalysis, urine culture, cystoscopy, and when indicated, ureteroscopy. Diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma was made by surgery or endoscopic biopsy in 16 patients and squamous cell carcinoma in one. In nine patients with radiographs showing ureteral pseudodiverticula and a urinary tract filling defect (usually in the bladder), 78% of the cases were proved malignant. In six patients with ureteral pseudodiverticula and a stricture in the ureter or renal collecting system, 67% of the cases were proved malignant. Of the patients with tumor, 53% had a single ureteral pseudodiverticulum. In two cases, the pseudodiverticula antedated the diagnosis of malignancy by 2 and 4 years, respectively. Our experience suggests that the association between ureteral pseudodiverticula and uroepithelial malignancy may be more common than previously assumed, approaching 50%. Even a single ureteral pseudodiverticulum should be regarded as a serious marker for potential malignancy, antedating cancer by 2-10 years, and such patients should be closely followed up. The coexistence of ureteral pseudodiverticula and a stricture or filling defect in the urinary tract is highly suggestive that a tumor is present.

Long-term followup results after expectant management of stage A1 prostatic cancer

A total of 132 patients with stage A1 adenocarcinoma of the prostate was followed for 5 to 23 years (mean 8.2 years). Of these patients 52 underwent a second staging transurethral resection of the prostate between 1977 and 1986. Progressive disease developed in 3 of the 12 patients (25%) in whom residual foci of well differentiated cancer were detected by the second transurethral resection and who did not undergo further treatment. Of the 38 patients in whom the second transurethral resection did not detect residual cancer 3 (8%) also had progressive disease. From April 1989 to December 1989, 44 patients were re-evaluated by transrectal ultrasonography and ultrasonographically guided biopsies. Of these patients 3 had locally progressive disease. Progressive disease also developed in 4 more patients. Thus, 13 of the 132 patients (10%) had either locally or systemically progressive disease after long-term followup. The interval from diagnosis of stage A1 disease to detection of progression ranged from 6 months to 20 years (mean 7 years). Ten patients underwent definitive treatment for what was believed to be locally progressive disease, 2 underwent palliative therapy and 1 had no therapy due to poor physical condition. Of the 10 patients who underwent definitive therapy 6 are alive without evidence of disease, 2 died of unrelated causes without evidence of disease and 2 are alive with stage D1 disease. These data suggest that patients in whom a second staging transurethral resection of the prostate detects residual cancer have a high probability of progressive disease. Also, negative findings from a second staging transurethral resection may not exclude the possibility of disease progression. Expectant management of stage A1 disease is warranted but regular and long-term followup is mandatory.

[Serum mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase (ASTm) in acute myocardial infarction]

The increase of serum ASTm activity might reflect the severity of damage at the subcellular level of the myocardium. 50 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were observed. The mean peak ASTm activity was 34.34 +/- 34.60 IU/L and 48 patients (96%) greater than or equal to 9 IU/L (two times median value of normal subject). The peak time (36 h) came later and the duration (120 h) was longer than that of CK-MB. ASTm/ASTt ratio in groups of AMI, non-AMI heart failure and acute ictero-hepatitis was 0.25 +/- 0.10, 0.02 +/- 0.05 and 0.05 +/- 0.02 respectively. The former was significantly greater than other two groups (P less than 0.01). The activity of ASTm in AMI cases with heart function at I, II and III + IV (Killip classification) was 21.8, 40.2 and 76.2 IU/L respectively (F = 8.407 P less than 0.01) and it was 84.9 and 24.7 IU/L in the death and surviving groups (P less than 0.01). The result showed that the estimation of serum ASTm level was helpful to the establishment of diagnosis in the patients with AMI who were sent delayed to the hospital. It held special significance in evaluating the severity of myocardial damage, heart function and in predicting the prognosis of AMI.

[Effect of alcohol-extract from scorpion on checking externally active cysticerus cellulosae]

Putting the alcohol-extract from scorpion in the ordinary aqueous solution of 15% pork bile and having it cultured at the temperature of 37 degrees C have proved for the first time that in contrast with the chemical albendazole, Scorpion has a conspicuous effect on the external killing of the cysticercus cellulosae, The action of killing cysticercus cellulosae has almost nothing to do with the difference of processed products or of the parts used in medicine.

[Conditional logistic regression analysis of coronary heart disease]

A case-control study on 215 pairs was carried out in Jinan. Conditional Logistic regression analysis showed that the following five factors were associated with coronary heart disease, i.e., hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and heavy smoking, serum copper and HDL-C/TC. The former three were risk factors, and the latter two were protective factors. There is remarkable dose-response relation between heavy smoking and coronary heart disease. The data analysis show that these five factors are contributory to coronary heart disease with synergism.

[Relationship between radiology and prognosis in sarcoma of jaw]

A new radiologic grading based on the comprehensive studies of radiographs of 76 cases of jaw bone sarcomas is suggested. Cortical expansion or sclerotic rim is regarded as grade 1, localized destruction with sharp edges as grade 2, moth-eaten destruction as grade 3, and diffuse destruction as grade 4. A close relationship exists between the rate of 5 year survival and the radiologic grading which is considered to be one of the four main X-ray criteria for evaluation of prognosis. The other 3 criteria are the extent of destruction, the tumor location, and the changes of the teeth and periodontal space.

Altered growth regulation of rat kidney proximal tubule epithelial cells transformed in vitro by SV40 viral DNA: fibroblast growth factors (heparin-binding growth factors) are potent inducers of anchorage-independent growth

The majority of renal cancers are thought to arise from the proximal tubule epithelium, but little is known about their etiology. In this investigation, we have established an in vitro model to study the transformation of these target cells using rat kidney proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTE) transformed in defined medium with SV40-viral DNA. Selection by passaging cells onto plastic surfaces yielded a population of cells (SV-RPTE) that expressed keratin and vimentin along with SV40 large-T antigen. The cells were morphologically transformed and lost their differentiated character as determined by several RPTE markers. SV-RPTE cells grew in soft agar in serum-supplemented medium containing insulin, epidermal growth factor, and cholera toxin, but were unable to grow when serum and growth factors were not combined. Acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF and bFGF) were unique since they were the only single factor that induced anchorage-independent growth in the presence of serum alone. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) was a potent inhibitor of anchorage-independent growth, but the inhibition was partially overcome by a combination of growth factors. The growth factor responses of SV-RPTE in monolayer cultures differed from those in soft agar; the cells were more sensitive to growth stimulation by insulin and insulin-like growth factor, neither of which stimulated anchorage-independent growth. SV-RPTE cells in monolayer cultures had also lost the sensitivity to growth inhibition by TGF-beta 1 characteristic of normal RPTE. The RPTE transformation model described here will be very useful for investigating the molecular basis and etiology of renal cancers. Furthermore, the data suggest that maintenance of the transformed phenotype by aFGF and bFGF and loss of negative growth regulation by TGF-beta 1 could play a role in renal carcinogenesis.

[Reversed anterolateral thigh island flap and myocutaneous flap transplantation]

The blood supply of free anterolateral thigh flap and myocutaneous flap comes from the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery. On the basis of anatomical data, the descending branch coincides with the lateral superior genicular artery. Therefore, the authors suggested reversed anterolateral thigh island flap and myocutaneous flap transplantation. The blood supply of the reversed island flap, is from the lateral superior genicular artery. The flap seemed to have a constant vascular anatomy with a long pedicle and a large diameter, so that dissection of the flap can be accomplished easily. Moreover, donor defects were usually closed primarily without the need of skin-grafting. Since 1985, 4 cases of soft tissue defect around the knee joint have been repaired with reversed anterolateral thigh island flap and myocutaneous flap. All flaps survived completely and obtained satisfactory results. In this paper, the anatomy, design and operative technique of the flap are discussed.

Patient acceptance of and satisfaction with an external negative pressure device for impotence

Patient acceptance of and satisfaction with an external negative pressure device as a treatment for impotence were retrospectively analyzed among 100 men. The over-all satisfaction rate was 68%. Reasons for dissatisfaction with and discontinuing the use of the device included premature loss of penile tumescence and rigidity, pain or discomfort either during application of suction or during intercourse and inconvenience. Negative pressure therapy is an effective treatment for impotence of various etiologies and should be among treatment options offered to the impotent patient.

[Angiographic study of osteosarcoma and fibrosarcoma of the jaw]

It has been well known that the sarcomas of jaw are very vascularized, but reports on the angiography of jaw sarcomas were very few. Based on the preoperative angiography of 3 cases of jaw bone sarcomas and arteriography of their specimens, it has been noticed that the supplying arteries of the mandible ramus sarcoma can be directly from the external carotid arteries; and the supplying arteries can be from inferior alveolar artery in sarcomas of the body of mandible. The tumors are more vascularized than the surrounding normal tissues, and the direction of the arteries can be from central to peripheral in the tumors, which are different from the long bone sarcomas. The vascularization and the retarded blood flow in the tumor are the significant anatomic bases for local perfusion chemotherapy of jaw sarcomas.

Experimental treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with transurethral balloon dilation of the prostate: preliminary study in 73 humans

A prospective noncontrolled study of the safety and potential efficacy of transurethral balloon catheter dilation of the prostate (TUDP) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was performed in 73 subjects with moderate to severe symptoms and signs of prostatism who were selected on the basis of a quantitative symptom score (SS), uroflowmetry measurements, and residual urine volume. Seven patients had urinary retention. Mean age was 69.6 years (range, 59-95 years). TUDP was successfully accomplished in 70 patients (96%). There were no significant complications. Mean follow-up was 16.2 months (range, 6-36 months). Forty-six patients (66%) showed improved SS at the most recent follow-up. In 24 patients (34%) SS was unimproved, necessitating prostatectomy in 17 subjects (24%). Reduction in mean residual urine volume was not statistically significant. Only 38% of patients with median lobe enlargement showed improvement in SS, compared with 74% for the others. The authors conclude that TUDP is safe and shows promising effectiveness and that the ultimate demonstration of effectiveness requires a controlled clinical trial.

The structure of the pseudorabies virus genome at the end of the inverted repeat sequences proximal to the junction with the short unique region

The complete nucleotide sequence is presented of the 2 x 67 kbp BamHI-EcoRV portion of the BamHI 10 fragment of the pseudorabies virus (PRV) genome (strain Ka) containing sequences upstream of the previously reported protein kinase gene, and completing the sequence of this 4008 bp fragment. It is predicted to contain a gene designated RSp40, homologous to gene US1 of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), with the potential to encode a protein of 364 amino acids. Analysis of PRV mRNA synthesized in the presence and absence of cycloheximide indicated that, in contrast to its HSV-1 homologue, the PRV gene RSp40 does not specify an immediate-early mRNA. Between the RSp40 gene and the protein kinase gene are two reiterated sequences: one containing 11 tandem copies of a 35 nucleotide sequence and the other containing nine tandem copies of a 10 nucleotide sequence. The BamHI 10 and the BamHI 12 fragments of PRV contain the junctions between the short unique (US) and short repeat (RS) regions of the PRV genome. The nucleotide sequence of that portion of the BamHI 12 fragment containing US sequences was determined so that, by comparison with the nucleotide sequence of the BamHI 10 fragment, the junction between the US and RS regions could be defined. In BamHI 10 this was found to be at a point between the two reiterated sequences (which are in the RS region) and the protein kinase gene (which is in the US region). The organization of this region of the PRV genome is compared to that of other alphaherpesviruses.

Kinetics of Aluminum Uptake in Triticum aestivum L: Identity of the Linear Phase of Aluminum Uptake by Excised Roots of Aluminum-Tolerant and Aluminum-Sensitive Cultivars

The identity of a linear phase of aluminum (Al) uptake in Triticum aestivum was investigated by analysis of the kinetics of Al uptake by excised roots and purified cell wall fractions. Classical interpretation of kinetic data suggests that a linear phase of uptake with time reflects uptake across the plasma membrane; however, in studies with Al the possibility that the linear phase of uptake includes accumulation of Al in both the symplasm and the apoplasm has not been discounted. In our experiments, we observed a linear phase of Al uptake at both ambient and low temperatures, although the rate of uptake at 0 degrees C was 53 to 72% less than at 23 degrees C, depending on cultivars. This nonsaturable phase of uptake at low temperature suggests that a portion of the linear phase of Al uptake is nonmetabolic. Furthermore, analysis of Al in cell wall fractions isolated from excised roots pretreated with Al suggests that the linear phase of uptake includes a cell wall component. When excised roots were pretreated with Al, accumulation of Al in purified cell wall material included a linear phase that could not be desorbed with a 30 minute wash in citrate. The rates of linear-phase accumulation of Al by cell wall material and cell contents were similar. In contrast, the linear phase of in vitro uptake of Al by purified cell wall material was completely desorbed by a 30 minute wash with citrate. These results suggest that the linear phase of Al uptake observed in excised roots of T. aestivum included metabolism-dependent binding of Al in apoplasm.

Bioconversion of Aflatoxin G1 to Aflatoxin B 3 by selected fungi

Aflatoxin G1 (AFG1) was transformed into aflatoxin B3 (AFB3) by the fungiRhodotorula sp,Sporobolomyces sp,Rhizopus oryzae NRRL395,Pythium ultimum, Aspergillus terreus, A clavatus and Penicillium frequentans grown in a medium containing AFG1, Difco potato dextrose broth, yeast extract, and peptone both in liquid shaken cultures and in solid static cultures at 25°C in the dark. A maximum rate of transformation of 10 % was obtained after 2 to 3 weeks of incubation. The transformation was correlated with an increase in the pH of the media from 5.7 -5.9 to 8.3 - 8.8.Saccharomyces cerevisiae also transformed AFG1 into AFB3, but at a slower rate; the pH of the media did not reach above 8.0 until 5 weeks after incubation. No transformation was observed whenA niger andP chrysogenum were tested; in both cases, no increase in pH was noticed. However, some transformation of AFG1 to AFB3 by both fungi was observed when the initial pH of the media was adjusted to 9.0. The rate of transformation increased to 15 - 20% in the static culture where the same medium was adsorbed onto vermiculite andRhizopus andAspergilli gave the highest increase in AFB3 yield.

[Determination of the contents of chlorogenic acid in qingre jiedu injection by three wavelength spectrophotometry]

The content of chlorogenic acid in Qingre Jiedu injection was determined by three wavelength spectrophotometry (315, 325 and 340.6nm), without any preliminary separation. The results showed the advantages of the method in simplicity, rapidity, accuracy, stability and better recovery (100.5%), and so on.

The protein kinase encoded in the short unique region of pseudorabies virus: description of the gene and identification of its product in virions and in infected cells

We have cloned and determined the nucleotide sequence of a gene, pk, that lies immediately upstream from the gene encoding glycoprotein X in the short unique region of the alphaherpesvirus, pseudorabies virus (PRV). The gene has the potential to encode a protein of 334 amino acids, and is related to gene US3 of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which has been shown to encode a protein kinase. The predicted amino acid sequence encoded by the PRV pk gene is homologous to the corresponding sequence encoded by the HSV-1 US3 gene in the C-terminal catalytic domain, but diverges markedly in the N-terminal domain. As with HSV-1, the mRNA for the pk gene appears to be 3' coterminal with that for the glycoprotein downstream. An antiserum was raised against a protein generated from the fusion of part of the PRV pk catalytic domain with Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase. This specifically reacted with a previously described physically homogeneous protein kinase, PRV-PK, isolated from hamster fibroblasts lytically infected with PRV. Although the majority of the PRV-PK is found in the cytoplasm, some was also detected in purified PRV virions by using the same antibody; a similar distribution was found for the HSV-1 protein kinase, using an antiserum raised against the corresponding HSV-1 fusion protein. When presented with heatinactivated virions, purified PRV-PK (in common with certain cellular protein kinases also present in the virion) was able to phosphorylate in vitro the major virion phosphoprotein phosphorylated in vivo.

Anticonvulsant effect of N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine against kainic acid-induced behavioral seizures in the rat prepiriform cortex

Kainic acid (KA), microinjected unilaterally into the rat prepiriform cortex (PC), produces generalized motor seizures in a dose-dependent manner. The adenosine agonist N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA), when co-injected with KA, protects against seizures in a dose-dependent and highly potent manner: ED50 = 25.6 +/- 2.1 pmol/rat. The seizure-suppressing effects of NECA are completely abolished by co-administration of the adenosine receptor antagonist 8-(p-sulfophenyl)theophylline (8-pSPT), suggesting that adenosine receptor activation underlies the efficacy of NECA against KA seizures. Moreover, dilazep, an effective blocker of adenosine uptake, when co-administered with KA, provides significant protection against seizures. Together, these findings suggest that adenosine receptors may play an important role in the regulation of the inhibitory neuronal circuitry of this paleocortical brain area.

[The measurement of radial bone mineral content in children]

The bone mineral contents of radius of 255 boys and 243 girls (7 to 16 year old of the Han nationality, living in Chengdu) were measured with Bone Mineral Analyzer (Type:SPA-I). The standard values of g/cm was made. There was a positive correlation between the value in boys or girls and chronological age, height or weight. The coefficients were respectively 0.83, 0.77, 0.64 in boys and 0.82, 0.82, 0.82 in girls (P less than 0.005). At the age of 13 (in boys or in girls) the value of the g/cm was the highest.

[Pharmacological action of various processed Mylabris phalerata Pallas]

We have compared the acute toxicity, sub-acute toxicity and in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor action of the rude drug, stir-fried with rice, and alkali-processed drugs of Mylabris phalerata before and after removing the head, feet and wings. The results indicate that the toxicity of the processed drugs is lower than that of the rude ones; the toxicity becomes higher without head, feet, and wings; and the alkali-processing method is better than stir-frying with rice recorded in the pharmacopeia.

Gelatinolytic proteinase activities in human seminal plasma

Proteinase activities in human seminal plasma were detected using gelatin-containing sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis zymography. Three prominent bands of activity of Mr 60,000, 66,000 and 90,000 were observed as well as 9 other bands of less intensity (34,000-158,000). These proteinases were dependent upon calcium for optimal activity, did not hydrolyse casein, and were predominantly in the soluble portion of seminal plasma. Examination of seminal plasma of men with different sperm concentrations, split ejaculates, and prostatic secretions indicated that the prostate gland was a source of most of these activities. Proteinase activities of Mr 34,000, 37,000, 82,000 and 120,000 were expressed more frequently in seminal plasma from normozoospermic men than from seminal plasma of oligo- or azoospermic men, indicating that they may also arise from spermatozoa in the semen sample. The proteinases of Mr 60,000 and 66,000 were found in all seminal plasmas whereas there was variation in the expression of the other molecular forms of enzyme, even in the normozoospermic samples. There are multiple forms of gelatinolytic proteinase activities in human seminal plasma which appear to arise from multiple sources in the reproductive tract including the Cowper's/urethral glands, the prostate gland, seminal vesicle and/or spermatozoa. Their function(s) in semen remains to be established.

[A preliminary report on the investigation of medicinal plant resources in the Liupan Mountains of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region]

In this paper, 423 species of medicinal plants belonging to 94 families in Liupan Mountains of Ningzia Hui Autonomous Region have been reported, of which 403 species belonging to 79 families are medicinal spermatophytes. The paper may serve as a reference for medical authorities in developing and utilizing plant resources.

[A study on the relationship between human papilloma virus (HPV) and cervical cancer]

Samples of cervical tissues of patients from Shandong province were detected by using Southern blot hybridization technique of nucleic acid with the probe of (alpha-32P)-dCTP HPV16 DNA fragment cleaving with BamHI. The total positive rate of HPV16 DNA related sequences in 116 cases with cervical cancer was 50.9%, and much higher than that in 36 cases with non-cervical disease (5.6%). There is a strong correlation between the HPV and cervical cancer (OR = 17.60, P less than 0.001). It was showed that there was no association between the positive rate of HPV 16 DNA related sequences and age, clinical period and local appearance in cases with cervical cancer. This was the first paper described that HPV 33 DNA sequences were found in four cervical carcinoma samples, and HPV 31 DNA sequence in one cervical carcinoma sample under low stringent conditions of hybridization in Shandong province.

Two types of rhythmical jaw movements evoked by stimulation of the rat cortex

Two different patterns of rhythmical jaw movements (RJM) resembling masticatory movements were evoked by stimulation of the cerebral cortex in the rat. The first type of RJM was evoked from the primary jaw motor area, and it always began with a sustained jaw-opening and consisted of high frequency (5-7 Hz) simple opening-closing movements of the jaw. The anterior digastric electromyographic (EMG) activity showed discharges apparently time-locked to each stimulus pulse. The second type of RJM was evoked from the ventral part of the insular cortex. In contrast to the first type of RJM, the second type started with a jaw closing movement in many cases. This type of RJM had large and complex lateral and sagittal movements and the frequency of RJM was low (3-4 Hz). The digastric EMG activity did not show the stimulus-locked component. The pattern of these RJM did not depend on the intensity or frequency of stimulation, but on the site stimulated. These two cortical RJM areas appeared to work independently from each other, because ablation of one area did not affect the pattern of the RJM evoked from the other cortical area.

[A preliminary report on the phytophthora root rot of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer]

It has been found that Phytophthora cactorum mainly infects ginseng roots and causes phytophthora roots rot without symptoms on the leaves. The results of fungistatic test indicate that mycelial growth of the pathogen can be inhibited completely by Mancozeb and Metalaxyl at 100 ppm in vitro.

The role of ilioinguinal lymphadenectomy and significance of histological differentiation in treatment of carcinoma of the penis

We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of 58 patients treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the penis who were followed for more than 3 years or until they died. Tissue sections from all patients were reviewed. Of 15 patients with stage I disease 11 underwent partial penectomy, and 4 underwent partial penectomy and immediate ilioinguinal lymphadenectomy; none died of cancer. Nine patients with stage II and 9 with stage III disease underwent partial or total penectomy and immediate ilioinguinal lymphadenectomy, and 5-year survival was 100 and 75%, respectively. Of 20 patients with clinical stage II disease who did not undergo immediate ilioinguinal lymphadenectomy 18 had metastasis to the groin. Of these 18 patients 12 underwent delayed ilioinguinal lymphadenectomy but only 1 survived more than 5 years. We evaluated the possible significance of the degree of histological differentiation of the primary tumor to the course of the disease. Of the 23 cases of carcinoma in situ or well differentiated disease only 1 became metastatic, while of the 35 cases of moderately to poorly differentiated disease 31 metastasized to the groin. Vascular invasion of cancer cells in the primary tumor was another indicator for poor prognosis.

Adenosine A1 receptor activation mediates suppression of (-) bicuculline methiodide-induced seizures in rat prepiriform cortex

The protective effects of a series of stable adenosine analogs against generalized seizures initiated by focal injection of bicuculline methiodide into the rat prepiriform cortex (PPC) were studied by microinjection of these compounds into this brain area. The adenosine agonists, 5'-N-(ethyl)carboxamido-adenosine (NECA), cyclohexyladenosine, cyclopentyadenosine, 2-chloroadenosine and R- and S-phenylisopropyladenosine (R- and S-PIA), protected animals against seizures in a dose-dependent, and extremely potent manner. NECA, the most potent compound evaluated, completely prevented seizures at doses greater than or equal to 6.8 pmol. In contrast, heroic doses of the A2 selective ligand, 2-phenylaminoadenosine, afforded no protection against seizures. The rank order of potency of these compounds in suppressing seizures is as follows: NECA greater than cyclohexyladenosine greater than cyclopentyladenosine greater than or equal to R-PIA greater than 2-chloroadenosine greater than S-PIA much greater than 2-phenylaminoadenosine. These data suggest that the antiseizure activity of these compounds in the PPC results from activation of A1 adenosine receptors. Quantitative autoradiographic analysis of the distribution of tritiated adenosine agonists 30 min after microinjection in the PPC reveals that [3H]NECA diffuses to a significantly greater extent than R-[3H]PIA, which may contribute to the relatively greater potency of the former compound in suppressing bicuculline methiodide-induced seizures. These results suggest that adenosine A1 receptors may participate in the normal inhibitory regulation of the PPC, a forebrain area which may play a significant role in the pathobiology of epilepsy.

Kinetics of Aluminum Uptake by Excised Roots of Aluminum-Tolerant and Aluminum-Sensitive Cultivars of Triticum aestivum L

Uptake of aluminum (Al) by excised roots of two Al-tolerant cultivars and two Al-sensitive cultivars of Triticum aestivum L. (wheat) was biphasic, with a rapid phase of uptake in the first 30 minutes followed by a linear phase of uptake up to 180 minutes. At the end of the uptake period, higher concentrations of Al were found in roots of the Al-sensitive cultivars (Neepawa and Scout-66) than in the Al-tolerant cultivars (Atlas-66 and PT-741), but differences were small. Experiments testing the effectiveness of several desorption agents demonstrated that citric acid was most effective in desorption of loosely bound Al (the putative apoplasmic compartment) followed by others in the order tartaric acid > EDTA > CaSO(4) = ScCl(3). In all cultivars, 30 minutes of desorption with citric acid depleted the rapidly exchanging, putative apoplasmic compartment, although some tightly bound Al remained in that compartment. The relationship between Al remaining after desorption and time in the uptake medium was nearly linear and no distinction was observed between Al-tolerant and Al-sensitive cultivars. However, uptake of Al by the Al-tolerant cultivars was increased by treatment with the protonophore 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), while uptake of Al by Al-sensitive cultivars was relatively unaffected. Such results suggest the possible involvement of an active exclusion mechanism in Al-tolerant cultivars of T. aestivum.

Application of ion-pair high performance liquid chromatography for analysis of hyoscyamine and scopolamine in solanaceous crude drugs

A new ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the analysis of hyoscyamine and scopolamine in various kinds of crude drugs derived from solanaceous plants was evaluated using sodium dodecyl sulfate as a counter ion. A reversed-phase chromatographic system consisting of a chemically bonded ODS silica gel column with phosphate buffer (pH 2.5)-acetonitrile (65:35) containing 17.5 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate as the mobile phase was used. Hyoscyamine and scopolamine in crude drugs derived from Scopolia, Atropa, Hyoscyamus and Datura species were separated from other compounds in the crude drugs and determined within 20 min after direct injection of the solution extracted with the mobile phase. The results for various kinds of samples are presented.

Sarcomas of the retroperitoneum and genitourinary tract

A total of 62 patients with retroperitoneal or genitourinary sarcoma was treated at our institutions during the last 46 years. Of the patients 51 were followed for at least 5 years or until they died (median followup 11 years); 5 patients were lost to followup. The most common site was the retroperitoneum. Liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma were the most common tumors (74 per cent). Tumors were completely resected in 42 patients (68 per cent) and incompletely resected in 11, while a biopsy only was performed in 9. Some patients also received adjuvant radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. There were no long-term survivors among patients with unresectable tumors. Over-all 3 and 5-year survival rates were 68 and 39 per cent, respectively. The histological type of the tumor appeared to have prognostic significance. The highest 5-year survivals were for liposarcoma (70 per cent), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (33 per cent) and leiomyosarcoma (13 per cent). The mean survival for patients after adjuvant radiation therapy or chemotherapy was similar to that after a radical operation alone. The primary cause of treatment failure was local recurrence (45 per cent of the patients), which was detected within 3 years of complete resection in most cases (82 per cent). Complete extirpation that provided adequate margins free of tumor was the most effective initial treatment and provided the best chance for cure.