[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.

[Comparative clinical study of rheumatoid arthritis treated by triptolide and an ethyl acetate extract of Tripterygium wilfordii]

It was satisfactory using the ethyl acetate extract of Tripterygium wilfordii (TW) to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The results showed that the ethyl acetate extract of TW was the effective component part of TW. Although the therapeutic effect of 15 cases with RA cured by triptolide was as effective as the ethyl acetate extract of TW, triptolide could impair some patients' hearts. This suggested that triptolide was one of the main effective elements of TW, but it was also one of the main toxic elements. Clinical research indicated that: (1) the effect of TW in treating RA was the synergistic action of elements with triptolide as the main; (2) triptolide may act as a major standard of controlling the quality of the preparation of TW and assure clinical use safely.

[Effect of a mixture of Acanthopanax senticosus and Elsholtzia splendens on serum-lipids in patients with hyperlipemia]

The serum-lipids were determined in 31 hyperlipemia patients before and after treated with the mixture of Acanthopanax senticosus and Elscholtzia splendens. While the mean value of serum beta-lipoprotein decreased from 902 +/- 228 mg/dl to 608 +/- 189 mg/dl (P less than 0.001), the mean value of HDL-C increased from 52.6 +/- 12.5 mg/dl to 61.2 +/- 15.4 mg/dl (P less than 0.001). Thus the ratios of HDL-C to total cholesterol (HDL-C/TC) and to LDL-C (HDL-C/LDL-C) increased significantly, the arteriosclerosis index (AI) decreased significantly. The results indicate that the mixture of Acanthopanax senticosus and Elsholtzia splendens could improve the lipid-metabolism in hyperlipemia patients so that it might play a good role in preventing or alleviating arteriosclerosis.

Intravenous tryptophan tolerance test for liver function

An intravenous tryptophan tolerance test (ITrpTT) was designed for liver function since 95% Trp is metabolized by the liver. After an intravenous loading dose of 4 mg/kg body weight, serum levels of both free (F) and total (T) Trp were determined at 45 and 60 minutes. In normal controls and nonhepatic-disease patients, F45 (60) and T45 (60) did not exceed 7 mumol/L and 80 mumol/L, respectively, and F/T ratio not greater than 0.14. These were set up as cutoffs of upper normal limits. The test was abnormal in 87.5% of chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH) characterized by elevation of T45 (60), 100% of chronic active hepatitis (CAH) by elevation of F45 (60) and/or T45 (60), and 100% of hepatic cirrhosis by increase in F45 (60) and F/T ratio but not in T45 (60). The test seems to be more sensitive than the conventional tests for liver function. However, one should be cautious in interpretation of the test as there are some factors which might influence the Trp metabolism like exercise, alcoholism, corticosteroids and enzyme-inducers. It merits as an indication of liver dysfunction only when these factors are considered and excluded.

Maximum survival of frozen goat embryos is attained at the expanded, hatching and hatched blastocyst stages of development

Embryos were collected 5, 6 and 7 days after ovulation to determine their optimum stage of development for cryopreservation. The embryos were frozen using either glycerol or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as cryoprotectant, and then thawed and cultured to determine their viability. The rate of survival increased as the stage of development of the embryos increased. All hatched blastocysts survived freezing regardless of which cryoprotectant was used, whereas none of the 22 morulae frozen with DMSO survived, and only 12 of the 63 morulae frozen with glycerol survived. At the early blastocyst stage there was a significantly different result between freezing procedures (P less than 0.05) with greater survival rates obtained using DMSO rather than glycerol. The viability of goat embryos obtained at the early to hatched blastocyst stages, when collected 7 days after ovulation, was assessed by transferring half the embryos singly to recipients and freezing the remainder before transfer. When pregnancy was tested at the 7th week of gestation, the survival rate of fresh embryos was 67/111 (60%) compared with 64/109 (59%) for frozen-thawed embryos.

[Observation on the annual and seasonal changes of anatomic characteristics of the main root of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer]

Annual dynamic of the main root of Panax ginseng shows that the cross-section of various tissues increases gradually with age, but the ratio of phloemxylem in cross-section decreases. Seasonal dynamic shows that cells of phellogen and cambium divide actively in June-July and gets retarded in August. Ecological conditions can influence annual and seasonal dynamics of the structure of the main root.

[Study of the relation of the typology of nephrotic syndrome and red cell C3b receptor, T cell function]

This paper reports the determined results of rosette rates of red cell C3b receptor and active rosette (Ea) rates of T lymphocyte in 39 cases of nephrotic syndrome. Typology of nephrotic syndrome according to TCM differentiation symptoms, all the 39 cases were divided into three types: (1) 13 cases of deficiency of Qi of the Spleen with stagnancy of dampness; (2) 9 cases of deficiency of Yang of the Spleen and Kidney; (3) 17 cases of deficiency of Yin of the Liver and Kidney. The results showed that the red cell C3b receptor rosette rate and Ea rosette rate in 39 cases of nephrotic syndrome were significantly lower than those in the control. The difference between the two groups was very obvious (P less than 0.001) among the three types. The rosette rates of both in the deficiency of Qi of the Spleen and deficiency of Yang of the Spleen and Kidney were markedly decreased than those in the control (P less than 0.001). Whereas, the red cell C3b receptor rosette rate was lower than that in the control (P less than 0.01), and T cell Ea rosette rate showed no statistical difference (P greater than 0.05) in the deficiency of Yin of the Liver and Kidney. There was a close relationship between the immune dysfunction of red cell and the pathogenesis in nephrotic syndrome. There was markedly relationship between the pathogenesis of deficiency of Yang of the Spleen and Kidney and deficiency of Qi of Spleen with stagnancy of dampness and T cell immune dysfunction. While the Ea level in deficiency of Yin of the Liver and Kidney was closely correlated with the control. Probably this type was nephrotic nephrosis which had been treated with TCM-WM.

Specific recognition nucleotides and their DNA context determine the affinity of E2 protein for 17 binding sites in the BPV-1 genome

The DNA context of nucleotides that a protein recognizes can influence the strength of the protein-DNA interaction. Moreover, in prokaryotes, understanding the quantitative differences in binding affinities that result in part from the DNA context is often important in describing regulatory mechanisms. Nevertheless, these issues have not been a major focus yet for the investigation of protein-DNA interactions in eukaryotes. In this study, we explored the binding specificity and the range of affinities that the BPV-1 E2 transcriptional activator has for DNA. Because E2 binding sites are positioned near several different BPV-1 promoters, such quantitative information may be important to understand transcriptional regulatory mechanisms in BPV-1. Gel retardation assays and DNA footprinting were used to quantitate the affinities of the E2 binding sites in the viral genome. In the process, five sites were discovered, which, on the basis of sequence, had not been predicted previously to interact with the E2 protein. Equilibrium and kinetic studies show that the range of E2 affinities of the 17 sites varied over 300-fold. The sequence elements responsible for E2 recognition of DNA were determined by missing contact analysis of several sites and a point mutation analysis of one site. The results presented show that the affinity of an E2 binding site is to a large extent determined by the availability of specific contacts, but the data also strongly suggest that DNA structure plays an important role.

Search for satellite reflections and low-temperature study of the 1223 and 2212 Tl–Ba–Ca–Cu–O superconductors

The structures of the 1223 and 2212 phases of the T1-Ba-Ca-Cu-O system have been determined at 125 K. No satellite reflections were observed in extensive searches at both room and low temperature. The temperature dependence of the thermal parameters of the thallium atoms confirms the presence of a static disorder beyond that already incorporated in the refinements.

Pre-mRNA splicing mutants of Schizosaccharomyces pombe

A collection of temperature sensitive (ts-) mutants was prepared by chemical mutagenesis of a wild type Schizosaccharomyces pombe strain. To screen the ts- mutants for pre-mRNA splicing defects, an oligodeoxynucleotide that recognizes one of the introns of the beta-tubulin pre-mRNA was used as a probe in a Northern blot assay to detect accumulation of intron sequences. This screening procedure identified three pre-mRNA splicing mutants from 100 ts- strains. The three mutants are defective in an early step of the pre-mRNA splicing reaction; none accumulate intermediates. The precursors that accumulate at 37 degrees C are polyadenylated. Analysis of the splicing of another pre-mRNA showed that the mutations are not specific for beta-tubulin. The total RNA pattern in the three splicing mutants appears to be normal. In addition, the amounts of the spliceosomal snRNAs are not drastically changed compared to the wild type and splicing of pre-tRNAs is not blocked. Genetic analyses demonstrate that all three splicing mutations are tightly linked to the ts- growth defects and are recessive. Crosses among the mutants place them in three complementation groups. The mutants have been named prp1, prp2 and prp3.

Expression of the three influenza virus polymerase proteins in a single cell allows growth complementation of viral mutants

Transformed cell lines derived from murine C127 cells were constructed that express the influenza virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase proteins (PA, PB1, and PB2). Cell lines that express only one or all three of the proteins were tested for their ability to complement temperature-sensitive viral mutants incubated at the nonpermissive temperature. Two cell lines were isolated that express all three polymerase genes and complement the growth of PB2 temperature-sensitive mutants at the nonpermissive temperature. One of these lines also complemented PA temperature-sensitive mutants. The viral titers obtained in these two cell lines were 12-fold to 1000-fold higher than the viral titers obtained upon growth of the corresponding temperature-sensitive mutant in C127 cells at the nonpermissive temperature.

Comparison of the inhibition of Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase by 2,4-diamino-5-(substituted-benzyl)pyrimidines: quantitative structure-activity relationships, X-ray crystallography, and computer graphics in structure-activity analysis

The inhibition constants (Kiapp) obtained from the action of 44 2,4-diamino-5-(substituted-benzyl)pyrimidines on dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus casei bacteria are used to derive quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR). These equations bring out a number of differences in the DHFR which can be understood at the atomic level by studying color stereo computer graphics models constructed from the X-ray coordinates of the enzyme-inhibitor complexes. The combination of QSAR and X-ray crystallography interpreted via high-performance computer graphics offers a new level of sophistication to extend our understanding of enzyme-ligand interactions, which, when the crystallography is known, opens up a more scientific approach to drug development.

Inhibition by 5-(substituted-benzyl)-2,4-diaminopyrimidines of murine tumor (L5178Y) cell cultures sensitive to and resistant to methotrexate. Further evidence for the sensitivity of resistant cells to hydrophobic drugs

Forty-three 5-(substituted-benzyl)-2,4-diaminopyrimidines have been studied as inhibitors of murine tumor cell cultures (L5178Y). Two types of cells were used--one resistant to methotrexate and one sensitive to methotrexate. The formulation of quantitative structure--activity relationships showed that the methotrexate-resistant cells are more sensitive to the more hydrophobic congeners. pi 0 for the sensitive cells is about 1.4, while pi 0 for the methotrexate-resistant cells is above 3. These results are similar to those found for 2,4-diaminotriazines (Selassie, C.D.; Guo, Z. R.; Hansch, C.; Khwaja, T. A.; Pentecost, S. J. Med. Chem. 1982, 25, 157).

A comparison of the inhibitory action of 5-(substituted-benzyl)-2,4-diaminopyrimidines on dihydrofolate reductase from chicken liver with that from bovine liver

Forty-four 5-(substituted-benzyl)-2,4-diaminopyrimidines have been tested as inhibitors of chicken and bovine liver dihydrofolate reductase. The chicken enzyme is, on the average, about 10 times less easily inhibited than bovine enzyme. Substituents which show the greatest selectivity are 4-NHCOCH3, 3-OC4H9, 3-I, 3-CF3-4-OCH3, and 3,4,5-(OCH3)3. The inhibition constants have been used to formulate quantitative structure-activity relationships for comparative purposes.

Ureteral injuries during vascular surgery

The rapid increase in the number of vascular surgical procedures done has led to a new class of iatrogenic ureteral injuries. Vena caval ligation, bilateral lumbar sympathectomy, bypass procedures and abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy produce the majority of these injuries. Established principles useful in the repair of iatrogenic injuries following a gynecologic or colonic operation often are inapplicable.

Sensitivity and specificity of early diagnostic tests of lung function in smokers

What are the relative sensitivities and specificities of the "early" tests of lung dysfunction? We describe the findings from a study of virtually the entire population of a rural pollution-free community. Using abnormal spirometry as a marker of obstructive disease, we evaluated the two tests obtained from the single-breath nitrogen curve, closing volume (CV/VC) and the slope of the alveolar plateau (delta N2/L), as well as combinations of the two tests. While CV/VC is highly specific (92.3 percent in male and 94.0 percent in female subjects), it lacks sensitivity (36.8 percent in male and 13.3 percent in female subjects) and is abnormal in only 10.0 and 6.5 percent of male and female smokers, respectively, a percentage not dissimilar from the percentage with abnormal spirometry. However, delta N2/L, abnormal in 24.1 percent of male smokers and 28.8 percent of female smokers, rates reasonably well with regard to both sensitivity (63.2 percent in male and 66.7 percent in female subjects) and specificity (79.3 percent in male and 74.0 percent in female subjects). The group of smokers with abnormal delta N2/L did include fair numbers with abnormal spirometry (20.7 percent in male and 16.1 percent in female subjects). A combination of the two tests (abnormal in either delta N2/L and/or CV/VC) has good sensitivity (68.4 and 80.0 percent for male and female subjects, respectively) and specificity (74.3 and 69.0 percent for male and female subjects, respectively).