[Studies on the circulated edition of Shang Han Lun in pre -Song period and its collation and systematization]

By comparing the Song edition of Shang Han Lun with that of the pre -Song period, it is claimed that the original order of this book was not arranged on the sequence of 3- yin and 3- yang. Instead, it is arranged on the sequence of indications and contraindications of diaphoresis, emesis, purgation. During the process of its circulation, it was separated into two stems of circulated edition, the Shang Han Lun and Jin Gui Yu Han Jing, and the system of 3- yin and 3- yang, order of entries diagnosis based on differentiation of 6 channels, and polish of languages were completed during the process of its circulation. The edition collated by Lin Yi of the Song dynasty was the one circulated until today.

KCNA10: a novel ion channel functionally related to both voltage-gated potassium and CNG cation channels

Our laboratory previously cloned a novel rabbit gene (Kcn1), expressed in kidney, heart, and aorta, and predicted to encode a protein with 58% amino acid identity with the K channel Shaker Kv1.3 (Yao X et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 92: 11711-11715, 1995). Because Kcn1 did not express well (peak current in Xenopus laevis oocytes of 0.3 microA at +60 mV), the human homolog (KCNA10) was isolated, and its expression was optimized in oocytes. KCNA10 mediates voltage-gated K(+) currents that exhibit minimal steady-state inactivation. Ensemble currents of 5-10 microA at +40 mV were consistently recorded from injected oocytes. Channels are closed at the holding potential of -80 mV but are progressively activated by depolarizations more positive than -30 mV, with half-activation at +3.5 +/- 2.5 mV. The channel displays an unusual inhibitor profile because, in addition to being blocked by classical K channel blockers (barium tetraethylammonium and 4-aminopyridine), it is also sensitive to inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) cation channels (verapamil and pimozide). Tail-current analysis shows a reversal potential shift of 47 mV/decade change in K concentration, indicating a K-to-Na selectivity ratio of at least 15:1. The phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, an activator of protein kinase C, inhibited whole cell current by 42%. Analysis of single-channel currents reveals a conductance of approximately 11 pS. We conclude KCNA10 is a novel human voltage-gated K channel with features common to both K-selective and CNG cation channels. Given its distribution in renal blood vessels and heart, we speculate that KCNA10 may be involved in regulating the tone of renal vascular smooth muscle and may also participate in the cardiac action potential.

[Study of modeling and simulation of the multi-branch cardiovascular system]

By the Power Band Graph(PBG) method, this paper presents a computer simulation model of the multi-branch cardiovascular circulation system, which describes the blood fluid dynamic law in the cardiovacular system by the state equation. The model gives a minute description on physiological characters of cardiovascular circulation system (CVS). An integrate computer model on CVS has been established. The model can simulate physiological characters of cardiovascular circulation system and get the simulation data and the curves of CVS hemodynamics variables. The model can be used widely in the field of physiological system simulation study, medical study, and computer-aided instruction.

MRI measurements of normal extraocular muscles and other orbital structures

BACKGROUND

Studies of extraocular muscle (EOM) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) need to be extended to normal subjects of different ages to obtain data on the muscle thickness, cross-sectional area, and the volume of EOM and other orbital tissues.

METHODS

Forty-two orbits of 21 normal subjects in three age groups with an age range of 19-70 years were examined with surface-coil MRI. The transverse and sagittal images were used to measure the thickness of the four rectus muscles during fixation in different gaze positions. The coronal images with eyes in the primary position were used to calculate the cross-sectional areas. The volumes of all six EOM, orbital fatty tissue, the optic nerve and the eyeball were measured in the coronal plane and in either the transverse or the sagittal plane.

RESULTS

The horizontal muscles were thinner than vertical muscles. Muscle volume was larger in SR (superior rectus) than in IR (inferior rectus), larger in SO (superior oblique) than in IO (inferior oblique), and the same in LR (lateral rectus) as in MR (medial rectus). No significant differences were found in the values of the cross-sectional area in any image plane between the three age groups. There were no significant differences in muscle thickness and size and fatty tissue volume between age groups. The muscle thickness was linearly correlated to the angle of the eye deviation for all four rectus muscles, both in the "on" and "off" directions of the muscles.

CONCLUSIONS

The study provides quantitative data, in normal subjects of different ages, on the thickness and size of EOM and the volume of other orbital tissues by MRI, to serve as a basis for further studies on the morphological changes of EOM in various orbital diseases.

Close association of the N terminus of Kv1.3 with the pore region

The Shaker superfamily encodes voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels. The N termini of Shaker proteins are located intracellularly and contain several domains shown to regulate important aspects of channel function, such as speed of inactivation, channel assembly (T1 domain), and steady state protein level (T0 domain, amino acids 3-39 in rabbit). Mutations and/or deletion of certain amino acids in the T0 domain lead to a 13-fold amplification of Kv current as compared with wild type channels, primarily by increasing the absolute number of channel proteins present in the membrane (Segal, A. S., Yao, X., and Desir, G. V. (1999) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 254, 54-64). Although T0 mutants have kinetic properties virtually indistinguishable from wild type, they were noted to have a slightly larger single channel conductance, suggesting that the T0 domain might also interact with the pore region. In the present study we show that although T0 does not affect pore selectivity, it does modulate the binding affinity of the pore blocker, charybdotoxin. These results suggest that the N terminus of Kv1.3 is closely associated with the pore region.

Pressure effects on tryptophan and its derivatives

The high pressure effects on fluorescence of free tryptophan (Trp) and its derivatives, N-acetyl-tryptophan (AT), N-acetyl-tryptophanamide (NATA), tryptophanamide (TA), and tryptophan, containing 6-polypeptides in aqueous solution, were investigated in a pressure range from 0.1 to 650 MPa. It was found by analyzing the center of spectral mass in the wavelength range from 300 to 450 nm that high pressure shifted the fluorescence spectra of all these species to red direction: 421 cm(-1) for Trp, 305 cm(-1) for AT, 310 cm(-1) for NATA, 265 cm(-1) for TA, and 220 cm(-1) for single tryptophan containing 6-polypeptides. All the fluorescence efficiencies (i.e., quantum yield) of the compounds were reduced with pressure except free tryptophan where its fluorescence efficiency was enhanced with pressure. Glycerol, ethanol, and pH obviously influenced the pressure effects on their fluorescence characteristics. Since the tryptophan fluorescence is usually used as a probe for protein structural investigation, these findings suggested that the intrinsic pressure effect on tryptophan (or its derivatives) must be taken in consideration to explain the phenomenon observed in high pressure study on biomolecules when using the usual fluorospectroscopic approaches. In the present investigation, the mechanisms involved for pressure effects on tryptophan and its derivatives were explored and discussed.

[Identification study on pig's hoofnail]

The identification characteristics of pig's hoofnail on properties and tissue slice was initially probed from the viewpoint of identification in this paper in order to make basis for the systematic research on replacing Squama manitis.

Production and activation of recombinant hK2 with propeptide mutations resulting in high expression levels

Human glandular kallikrein 2 (hK2) is a serine protease expressed mainly by the prostate gland with 80% identity in primary structure to prostate specific antigen (PSA). hK2 has proven to be a useful marker of prostate cancer which can be used in combination with PSA to better discriminate between prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia. The studies on hK2 have been hampered by its very low phyciological levels (6 microgram.mL-1), its close similarity to PSA, and the low expression levels obtained using recombinant procedures to produce hK2 (0.7 mg.L-1). We have now generated propeptide mutations of hK2 which can be used to isolate stable, inactive prohK2 mutants. Compared with wild-type hK2, expression of the propeptide hK2 mutants increases the expression levels up to 15-40-fold giving 10-30 mg hK2.L-1. These results indicate that the low expression levels of wild-type hK2 are related to the activation or autoactivation of the wild-type enzyme and the instability of the active protease in cell culture and possibly also in tissue. The purified mutant hK2 may be activated by either enterokinase or factor Xa to generate an enzyme for use in functional studies with the characteristics of the original wild-type protein. Further, the stable inactive mutant hK2 protein may be used for immunizations to generate novel monoclonal antibodies, used as standard material for clinical assays or in crystallization studies where large quantities of protein are required.

The effects of histone acetylation on estrogen responsiveness in MCF-7 cells

Because histone acetylation is implicated in the facilitation of specific gene transcription, the effect of increasing histone acetylation on the expression of an endogenous gene was investigated. The ability of trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, to potentiate the estradiol (E2) induction of progesterone receptor (PR) levels in MCF-7 cells was studied. Although TSA alone had no effect on PR synthesis, measured by a whole-cell binding assay with [3H]R5020, TSA potentiated the effect of 10(-11) ME2 such that 10 ng of TSA/mL approximately doubled the hormone response. When TSA was removed from the cells after various incubation times (24 and 48 h) by successive washings with TSA-free medium, it was determined that TSA was required throughout the 96-h incubation period in order to achieve maximal potentiation for the E2 response. In addition, TSA potentiated E2 induction of pS2 mRNA. These results suggested that the estrogen receptor (ER) complex might alter histone acetylation as part of the gene activation process. To test this directly, MCF-7 cells were incubated for 48 h with E2 followed by incubation with sodium [3H]acetate for 1 h. From two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, an increase in total acetate incorporation into histones in estrogen- treated cells compared to control was observed as well as a preferential increase in the mono- and diacetylated histone H4. Experiments with lysine-specific antiacetylated H4 antibodies suggest a preferential increase in acetylation at lysine 16, but not 5, 8, or 12. The results of this study support an important role for histone acetylation in the mechanism of action of the ER.

[Application of power band graph method to the modeling and simulation of cardiovascular system]

This paper presents a computer simulation model of the cardiovascular circulation system, which describes the blood flow dynamic law in the cardiovascular system by the state equation. The model can be used in physiological study and computer-aided medical education. In this paper, the Power Band Graph (PBG) modeling method is used to realize modeling of the human circulation system and conduct a simulation study on a simplified physiological system model. The results demonstrate that the PBG method, as an understandable and unity modeling method, is quite effective and practicable and can be used widely in the field of physiological system simulation.

Cryoinactivation and conformational drift of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from rabbit muscle

The cryoinactivation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from rabbit muscle (GAPDH-rabbit) was studied. It was found that the inactivation of GAPDH-rabbit at 0 degrees C was much faster than that of GAPDH from yeasts, and showed obvious time and concentration dependence. The spectral properties, enzyme activity and behavior under pressure, of GAPDH-rabbit treated either by cryoinactivation, or pressure-induced dissociation and reassociation, were very similar. These results provided evidence to support the idea that cryoinactivation of oligomeric proteins, might take place through a cycle of dissociation-reassociation accompanied with the so-called conformational drift postulated by King and Weber (1986).

[Analysis of alpha-Oxo ketene cyclic dithioacetals compounds by using Kalman filtering and UV spectrophotometry]

The Kalman filtering and UV spectrophotometry have been used to analyte the alpha-Oxo ketene cyclic dithioacetal compounds in the present paper. The innovation sequence and concentration trends in the Kalman filtering process have been investigated, results show that the combination of the Kalman filtering and UV spectrophotometry is an applicable and reliable means in analysis of this kind of compounds.

[A kinetic study of organic reaction by Kalman filter and spectrophotometry]

The Kalman filter-spectrometry was used to the study on the chemical dynamics of alpha-Oxo ketene cyclic dithioacetals. Results show that the method can effectively eliminate or reduce the intercomponent interferences in the simultaneous determination of all components. The method was successfully used to study the condensation reaction dynamics of 1-phenyl-2-(1,2-dithioethylene)methylene-1,3-dibutandione and m-nitrophenyl aldehyde.

Treatment of strabismus and nystagmus with botulinum toxin type A. An evaluation of effects and complications

PURPOSE

Injection of botulinum toxin type A into eye muscles leads to a temporary paralysis and the effects have been evaluated in strabismus or nystagmus.

METHOD

A total of 112 patients with different types of concomitant and paralytic strabismus and acquired nystagmus were treated with botulinum toxin, according to well-established indications.

RESULTS

The lasting effects of the injections on strabismic angle were largest in esotropia, consecutive exotropia and abducens palsy, and amounted to, on an average, 12 prism diopters or 6 degrees. The larger the strabismus the better was the effect. Repeated injections reduced the angle further. In complex nystagmus forms retrobulbar injections could be used. The side effects were mostly due to spread of botulinum toxin to the levator, producing ptosis (8%), or the inferior rectus muscle, causing vertical strabismus (10%). On an average 42% of the patients were later operated for strabismus and nystagmus.

CONCLUSION

Injection of botulinum toxin A into eye muscles is a valuable adjunct to surgery in the treatment of strabismus and nystagmus.

[High expression of human thrombopoietin mutant fusion protein in E. coli]

OBJECTIVE

To obtain human thrombopoietin (Tpo)mutant cDNA encoding mature peptide N terminal 1 approximately 196 amino acids and investigate its expression in E. coli JM109.

METHODS

Polymerase chain reaction and DNA recombination techniques were employed. PCR product was inserted into pUC19 vector and sequenced and then cloned into expression vector pMAL-c2.

RESULTS

E. coli JM109 cells with plasmid pMAL -MBP/TpoM were induced by IPTG for 4-5 hours. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that MBP/TpoM molecular weight is about 63KD. Scanning analysis indicated that expressed protein accounts up to 37% of total E. coli proteins.

CONCLUSION

The Tpo mutant of interest is successfully expressed in E. coli JM109 cells.

Cystatin C measurement and its practical use in patients with various renal diseases

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical usefulness in terms of estimation for glomerular filtration rate (GFR), we determined the cystatin C levels in the serum and urine of 33 healthy volunteers as well as in the serum and urine of 35 patients with various renal diseases and compared them with those of creatinine. In addition, we evaluated this substance as an indicator of removal rate of low molecular weight protein with high flux membranes in 6 hemodialysis (HD) patients.

METHODS

Serum and urinary cystatin C levels were measured by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, 24-hour creatinine clearance was used as an indicator of GFR.

RESULTS

Reference intervals with 95% ranges are 0.47-1.03 mg/l in the serum from healthy volunteers. There was a significant positive correlation between serum cystatin C and creatinine levels (r = 0.936, p < 0.001) in the patients with various renal diseases. Serum cystatin C and creatinine inversely and logarithmically correlated to creatinine clearance as shown in the following equations: log cystatin C = -0.564 x log creatinine clearance + 1.216 (r = -0.850), log creatinine = -0.678 x log creatinine clearance + 1.449 (r = -0.904). In these equations l/day is the unit used for creatinine clearance, mg/l is the unit used for serum cystatin C. The range for cystatin C is 0.67-6.15 mg/l, 0.66-7.23 mg/dl for creatinine and 8.9-186.3 l/day (6.2-129.4 ml/min) for creatinine clearance. Serum cystatin C levels started to increase over normal range when creatinine clearance fell below 135.9 l/day (94.4 ml/min), while serum creatinine remained within normal ranges. The daily urinary excretion of cystatin C was increased significantly in the group in which creatinine clearance was below 30 l/day (20.8 ml/min) compared to that in which creatinine clearance was higher than in 70 l/day (48.6 ml/min). Fractional clearance of cystatin C increased proportionally and markedly to the decrease of creatinine clearance. In a regular HD condition with high flux membrane, the cystatin C removal rate was 38.7 +/- 1.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that combined measurement of cystatin C in the serum and urine is useful to estimate GFR, especially to detect the mild reduction of GFR. Cystatin C measurement can also be used as an indicator of removal rate of low molecular weight protein with different types of high flux membranes in hemodialysis.

Arginine vasopressin inhibits interleukin-1 beta-stimulated nitric oxide and cyclic guanosine monophosphate production via the V1 receptor in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells

BACKGROUND

It has been reported that various vasoactive substance modulate cytokine stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production in many cell types.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effects of arginine vasopressin (AVP) on the production of NO and cyclic GMP (cGMP), and on inducible nitric oxide synthase (INOS) in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC).

DESIGN

Because VSMC possess the V1 receptor which clauses vascular contraction and respond to various cytokines for producing NO, we used rat VSMC and selected interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) as a potent stimulator of NO production among various cytokines. We also measured cGMP production, which is the final mediator of NO-induced vascular relaxation, in order to evaluate the physiologic meaning of the present study.

METHODS

VSMC were incubated with test agents for 24 h except for a time-course study. Nitrite as a stable end product of NO was measured in the medium. Intracellular cGMP contents were assayed by enzyme immunoassay. INOS messenger RNA expression was analyzed by Northern blotting.

RESULTS

AVP inhibited IL-1 beta-induced nitrite production in a dose- and time-dependent manner with concomitant changes in intracellular cGMP contents. On the other hand, AVP did not affect nitrite and cGMP production in the absence of IL-1 beta. Inhibition of nitrite and cGMP production by AVP was reversed by administration of the specific V1 receptor antagonist [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta- cyclopentamethylene propionic acid), 2-(O-methyl)-tyrosine] -Arg8-vasopressin) but not by the oxytocin (OXT) receptor antagonist [d(CH2(5)), TyrMe2, Orn8]-Vasotocin. Administration of the V1 receptor antagonist or OXT receptor antagonist alone did not affect IL-1 beta-stimulated nitrite and cGMP production. Although administration of AVP inhibited IL-1 beta-induced INOS messenger RNA expression, administration of the V1 receptor antagonist but not of the OXT receptor antagonist reversed this inhibition.

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that AVP inhibits IL-1 beta-induced NO and cGMP production via the V1 receptor but not via the OXT receptor in VSMC. AVP can cause vascular contraction not only through direct action but also through indirect action by inhibiting NO production under some inflammatory conditions.

Effects of eye muscle proprioceptive activation on eye position in normal and exotropic subjects

BACKGROUND

Activation of muscle spindles by vibration of eye muscles is known to induce illusory movements of fixated targets, but the effects on eye position have not been studied, either in normal subjects or in patients with exotropia.

METHODS

Eye position was recorded from the covered, non-dominant eye with an infrared system in 11 subjects with normal eyes and binocular vision and in 10 patients with exotropia and abnormal binocular function. Activation of eye muscle spindles was done by vibration at 70 Hz of the inferior and lateral rectus muscles of the dominant eye, fixating a light-emitting diode in subdued light.

RESULTS

Vibratory activation of proprioceptors in the inferior rectus muscle induced an eye movement mainly directed upward in both normal and exotropic subjects. The magnitude of the movement was on average 2.7 deg in normals and 2.4 deg in exotropes. Lateral rectus vibration induced a movement that was mainly temporally directed (abduction) of an average 2.1 deg in normal subjects, but a nasally directed (adduction) movement of 4.2 deg in exotropic subjects. In normal subjects the eye movement is of the same direction as the earlier reported visual illusory movements induced by the same type of proprioceptive activation, but in exotropic subjects the movements is in the opposite direction.

CONCLUSIONS

Proprioceptive activation of eye muscles affects eye position, and the results also indicate that signals from eye muscles are processed differently in normals and strabismics, probably depending on the level of binocular function.

Solid-phase extraction of the chromium(III)-diphenylcarbazone complex prior to ion-pair chromatography and application to geological samples

A method for the pre-treatment of acid samples prior to ion chromatography is described. In a strong acid medium, Cr(VI) oxidizes diphenylcarbazide, the resulting products forming a stable complex which can be transferred in a methanolic medium by solid-phase extraction using polyethylene as sorbent. This methanolic sample solution can be injected directly into a chromatographic system with a silica-based column. The separation and determination of the chromium complex can be performed by HPLC-using a mobile phase of 15% (v/v) acetonitrile containing 1 mmol/L tetrabutyl ammonium hydroxide (TBAH). The detection limit is estimated to be 2 microg/L chromate and the linear range is at least 0.05-2 mg/L chromate.

Vertical saccadic velocity and force development in superior oblique palsy

Vertical saccadic movements recorded with electrooculography (EOG) and force development measured by means of a contact lens-strain gauge technique were investigated in 13 patients with a clinical diagnosis of unilateral superior oblique palsy (SOP) and 10 normal subjects. Upward and downward movements from the horizontal level to 5, 10 and 20 deg of deviation with monocular fixation were made in the 20 deg abduction and adduction fields of gaze. Peak velocity (Vp) and the ratio of downward over upward movement (VpD/U) of the paretic eye (PE) and the sound eye (SE) of the patients were compared with the values of the covered, non-fixating eye (CE) and the fixating eye (FE) of the normals respectively. Peak tension (Fp), steady-state tension (Fs) and the ratios of downward over upward movement (Fp D/U, Fs D/U) of PE were compared with the values of CE. Comparisons were done (a) between normals and the whole group of 13 patients, (b) between normals and two subgroups of five patients with acquired and five with congenital SOP, (c) and between the subgroups. Mean Vp for the whole group of SOP showed reduced values from normals in many directions of gaze. However, mean Fp and ratios of Vp D/U and Fp D/U were not different in SOP and normals, and such measures could not be used to differentiate SOP from normal eye muscles in the sample of patients studied. Clear differences were seen in the comparisons between normals and the subtypes of SOP. Vp was significantly reduced in PE for the downward movements in the adduction field of gaze, more marked in acquired than in congenital SOP. Slowing of upward saccades was also found in the congenital group. This may be due to adaptational changes in concomitization of congenital paretic strabismus. Fp for downward saccade, and Vp D/U and Fp D/U were lower for PE in the acquired than in congenital SOP and normals in the lower adduction field of gaze, where the superior oblique has its main action. A linear relation was found between Vp and Fp of downward saccades for the congenital group in the lower adduction of gaze, but the slope was steeper than in normals. However, in acquired SOP the relationship was non-linear, which indicates a force production different from that of a normal muscle. Vertical saccadic velocity and force development measured at 20 deg adduction could reveal weakness of the superior oblique muscle and the imbalance of agonist-antagonist actions in the paretic eye.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Transportation trends after rat renal intracapsular injection of Salvia miltiorrhizae]

The concentration of Salvia miltiorrhizae (SM) was detected at different time after renal intracapsular injection in S.D rats. It showed that SM concentration was higher in kidney than in plasma (P < 0.05). SM concentration in kidney increased gradually, it reached the peak at 24 hour and still remained in higher level at 48 hour. The SM injected in renal capsule could be passively transported to renal tissue and maintained at a high level. This result demonstrated that renal intracapsular injection could be applied as an important therapeutical method for different renal disease.

[HPTLC densitometric determination of free bile acids in bezoar]

Cholic acid (CA), chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and deoxycholic acid (DCA) which are extracted with CH3OH from Bezoar can be separated on HPTLC silica gel plate (made in China) with isooctane-n-butyl acetate-acetic acid (4:2:1), and the three bile acids were determined by TLC densitometry.

Prostaglandin-dependent muscle wasting during infection in the broiler chick (Gallus domesticus) and the laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus)

Systemic infection with Escherichia coli significantly decreased feed intake, slowed growth of the whole body and skeletal muscles, and severely inhibited muscle protein accumulation in both chicks and rats. Treatment with naproxen (6-methoxy-alpha-methyl-2-naphthaleneacetic acid), an inhibitor of prostaglandin production, decreased weight losses of body and muscle, and significantly inhibited muscle protein wasting in infected chicks and rats. E. coli infection increased net protein degradation by 44.8% (P less than 0.05) and prostaglandin E2 production by 148% (P less than 0.05) in isolated extensor digitorum communis muscle from chicks on day 2 after infection. Naproxen treatment significantly decreased net protein degradation and prostaglandin E2 production in infected chicks to values seen in muscles of healthy controls. Quantitatively and qualitatively similar results were seen in isolated rat epitrochlearis muscle.

Effect of Escherichia coli infection on growth and protein metabolism in broiler chicks (Gallus domesticus)

1. A controlled experimental Escherichia coli infection was developed in broiler chicks. 2. Infection with E. coli significantly reduced feed intake, altered growth of the whole body, eviscerated carcass, skeletal muscles, heart and liver. Organ weight and/or the proportions of organs within the body were affected. 3. Protein accumulation in the eviscerated carcass, extensor digitorum communis and sartorius muscles was severely inhibited by infection, and to a greater extent than body weight. 4. Failure of muscle tissue to accumulate protein was associated with a significant decline in protein synthesis, when measured in vitro (-48%; P less than 0.05) and in vivo (-42%; P less than 0.001). Protein degradation also declined (-28.7%), but to a smaller extent than protein synthesis. 5. Although the infected chicks showed no viable bacteria at day 12 after infection, chicks did not reach the same body weight as controls by day 30 after infection.

Site-dependence of invasiveness of ECA109 human oesophageal carcinoma cells in nude mice

ECA109 human oesophageal carcinoma cells were injected either subcutaneously or intraperitoneally into BALB/CATc 1-nu/nu mice. After 23 weeks tumours were examined histologically and by scanning electron microscopy. Subcutaneous ECA109 tumours were well-delineated without signs of invasion. By contrast, intra-abdominal tumours invaded into the abdominal wall and abdominal organs. This result provides us with another example of site-dependence of invasion in vivo.