[Image processing of topographic EEG in epilepsy]

The processing of epileptic computerized topographical EEG (CTE) with the principle of image enhancement and point-by-point process was reported. The results indicated that the high potential distribution of CTE markedly reduced, the focus location was prominent and the mirror nearly disappeared after processing CTE image. The difference increased between the spike grey and the fast wave. This is advantageous to the surgical treatment of epileptic focus in brain.

Primary adenocarcinoma of the bladder: favorable prognostic significance of deoxyribonucleic acid diploidy measured by flow cytometry

Flow cytometric nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid ploidy analysis was done successfully on 38 specimens of primary bladder adenocarcinoma treated between 1954 and 1985. Of the specimens 10 (26%) were deoxyribonucleic acid diploid, 8 (21%) were tetraploid and 20 (53%) were aneuploid. Distribution of ploidy patterns between the 14 histological low grade and 24 high grade tumors was similar. Of 38 tumors 35 (92%) showed muscle invasion. One tumor arose in a previously exstrophied bladder, 10 were of urachal origin and 27 arose in an anatomically normal bladder. Of the urachal origin tumors 80% were deoxyribonucleic acid aneuploid. At 5 and 10 years after diagnosis 80 and 70%, respectively, of the patients with diploid tumors were free of disease. By contrast, at 5 and 10 years after treatment only 20 and 12%, respectively, of the patients with nondiploid tumors have not had disease progression (p less than 0.001 log-rank test). None of the 6 patients with diploid, high grade, high stage, muscle invasive tumors had subsequent progression. In contrast, 16 of 17 patients (94%) with high grade, high stage, nondiploid tumors had either local or distant tumor recurrence (p less than 0.0005). Nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid ploidy pattern appears to be the most significant prognostic information currently available to stratify expected prognosis for patients with muscle invasive adenocarcinoma of the bladder. This test probably should be a standard tool in the clinical management of patients with this rare bladder malignancy.

Influence of food deprivation in the rat on hypothalamic expression of growth hormone-releasing factor and somatostatin

Food deprivation in the rat is associated with a reduction in serum GH levels characterized by suppression of high amplitude GH bursts and a decrease in the duration of secretory episodes. The mechanism(s) mediating this response is unknown. The present studies were designed to evaluate the role of hypothalamic factors potentially responsible for abnormal GH dynamics in food-deprived rats by measuring hypothalamic prepro-GH-releasing factor (GRF) and preprosomatostatin (SRIF) mRNA and peptide levels in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats after 72 h of food deprivation or free access to food. Hypothalamic prepro-GRF mRNA was reduced 80% in food-deprived rats compared to that in fed controls (P less than 0.001), while GRF content was unchanged. Levels of prepro-SRIF mRNA in food-deprived rats were similar to those in controls, as was hypothalamic SRIF content. The time course of hypothalamic prepro-GRF mRNA reduction was determined in groups of rats food-deprived for 24, 48, or 72 h and revealed a significant (30%) reduction of prepro-GRF mRNA (P less than 0.05 vs. fed) by 24 h, with maximal reduction (80%) by 48 h. Refeeding groups of animals for up to 72 h after they had been food-deprived for 72 h resulted in restoration of prepro-GRF mRNA levels to 50% of control levels by 24 h (P less than 0.05 vs. fed) and a return to control values by 48 h. These data suggest that decreased GRF gene expression and possibly GRF release play a major role in the loss of pulsatile GH secretion seen in this model of nutrient deprivation.

Ultrastructural localization of prolactin and chromogranin B messenger ribonucleic acids with biotinylated oligonucleotide probes in cultured pituitary cells

A technique for the subcellular localization of prolactin and chromogranin B messenger RNAs (mRNA) in pituitary adenomas by in situ hybridization with biotinylated oligonucleotide probes is described. Ultrastructural examination revealed clusters and individual gold particles in the cytoplasm with this pre-embedding in situ hybridization method. Prolactinomas expressed both prolactin and chromogranin B mRNA, whereas the null cell adenoma expressed only chromogranin B mRNA. Sections of positively labeled cells contained up to 30 gold particles/cell. Treatment of cells with RNAse before hybridization reduced the number of gold particles to less than 1/cell. These results indicate that biotinylated oligonucleotide probes can be used to localize different mRNAs in cultured pituitary cells at the ultrastructural level to study the processing of these molecules within specific cells and for more precise correlation of molecular function with ultrastructural morphology.

Bilayer membrane bending stiffness by tether formation from mixed PC-PS lipid vesicles

Recently, a new approach to measure the bending stiffness (curvature elastic modulus) of lipid bilayer membrane was developed (Biophys. J., Vol. 55; pp. 509-517, 1989). The method involves the formation of cylindrical membrane strands (tethers) from bilayer vesicles. The bending stiffness (B) can be calculated from measurements of the tether radius (Rt) as a function of the axial force (f) on the tether: B = f.Rt/2 pi. In the present report, we apply this method to determine the bending stiffness of bilayer membranes composed of mixtures of SOPC (1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl phosphatidyl choline) and POPS (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl phosphatidyl serine). Three different mixtures were tested: pure SOPC, SOPC plus 2 percent (mol/mol) POPS, and SOPC plus 16 percent POPS. The bending stiffness determined for these three different lipid mixtures were not significantly different (1.6-1.8 x 10(-12) ergs). Because POPS carries a net negative charge, these results indicate that changes in the density of the membrane surface charge have no effect on the intrinsic rigidity of the membrane. The values we obtain are consistent with published values for the bending stiffness of other membranes determined by different methods. Measurements of the aspiration pressure, tether radius and the tether force were used to verify a theoretical relationship among these quantities at equilibrium. The ratio of the theoretical force to the measured force was 1.12 +/- 0.17.

Direct embryogenesis from single mesophyll protoplasts in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

We used a tetraploid clone derived from an anther culture operation of 'Ladak' alfalfa to study the pathway of direct embryogenesis from leaf-mesophyll protoplasts. About 72% of the protoplasts divided, and 7% of those produced proembryos. Approximately 38% of the proembryos developed into green embryos, and 33% initiated calluses. Other proembryos dedifferentiated into calluses which later redifferentiated embryos. Sixteen percent of the embryos developed directly into plants, whereas 81% produced plants indirectly via secondary embryos. The remaining 3% of the primary embryos failed to develop into plants. The lowest plating efficiency for direct embryogenesis was 0.3%. The high percentage of direct embryogenesis observed was related to the genetic nature of the clone, low density of liquid medium, low protoplast culture density, and the composition of culture media.

Neutral glycolipids of migrating and nonmigrating rabbit corneal epithelium in organ and cell culture

It is generally believed that plasma membrane glycoconjugates influence corneal epithelial cell migration after wounding. Previous studies have focused on the role of glycoproteins in this event. The present study was designed to determine whether migration-specific glycolipids are synthesized by epithelium of healing rabbit corneas. Migrating and nonmigrating rabbit corneal epithelia were incubated with [3H]-galactose in an organ culture system for 48 hr. At the end of the labeling period, a neutral glycosphingolipid (NGSL) fraction was isolated from each radiolabeled epithelium and was analyzed by thin-layer chromatography. Three radiolabeled NGSL components, M1, M2 and M3 (M1-M3), were present in significantly higher amounts in the extracts of migrating as compared to nonmigrating epithelium. Chromatographic mobility of M3 was similar to that of a standard glucosylceramide; M1 and M2 migrated more slowly than M3. For characterization of the migration-related NGSL, a large amount of the starting material is required. Experiments, therefore, were conducted using cell cultures of rabbit corneal epithelium. Confluent (nonmigrating) cell cultures of rabbit corneal epithelium were found to synthesize either minimal or undetectable amounts of NGSL M1-M3. In contrast, we found that the NGSL M1-M3 are synthesized as major components by sparse (migrating) corneal epithelial cell cultures. Components M1-M3 were synthesized as major components by sparse cultures even in the absence of cell mitosis. This suggests that the increased synthesis of components M1-M3 by sparse cell cultures may be related to cell migration rather than cell mitosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Effects of concentration and ratio of N, P and K on seedlings of Panax quinquefolium L]

Results of the orthogonal experiment of N, P and K are as follows: (1) The highest growth rate occurs in treatment 4 (N100ppm, P25ppm, K250ppm) and other features are also good. So this treatment can be used in hydroponics of seedling of P. quinquefolium. (2) The influences of N, P and K concentration on the contents of ginsenosides in different parts of seedling are different. The content of ginsenosides in aerial part is 14.72-16.72%, higher than 3.24-4.00% in root.

Adrenal cortical nodule mimicking small round cell malignancy on fine needle aspiration

The cases of two elderly female patients with benign adrenal cortical nodules that mimicked small round cell malignancies by fine needle aspiration cytology are reported. Electron microscopic examination of part of the aspirate revealed the cells to be aggregates of bare nuclei of broken adrenal cortical cells, leading to a correct diagnosis.

Rapid and sensitive analysis of 8-methoxypsoralen in plasma

A new method has been developed to extract 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) from human plasma and to prepare samples for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Plasma samples are passed through solid phase extraction cartridges that are essentially HPLC "microcolumns" consisting of a bonded silica sorbent that, after activation, selectively retain 8-MOP and then release it when exposed to an eluting solvent. The 8-MOP collected from the cartridge is analyzed by reversed phase HPLC. With this new technique, the 8-MOP is completely recovered and as little as 10 ng/ml can be detected in a 1-ml plasma sample. The average plasma level in a series of 17 patients who had ingested Oxsoralen (approximately 0.6 mg/kg) was 117 ng/ml (+/- 79).

A fertile mule and hinny in China

Anecdotal reports of fertility in female mules (jack donkey x mare) and hinnies (stallion x jenny donkey) have appeared in the literature over the years, but scientists have generally regarded them with scepticism. The fact that some of these hybrids can come into estrous and ovulate makes fertility conceivable, given that opportunity for mating arises. In China, where mules are bred extensively for work on the farms, a fertile female mule and a fertile female hinny have now been verified by chromosomal investigation. Each had mated with a donkey and produced a filly foal. The foals show unique hybrid karyotypes different from the mule's or hinny's and different from each other's. The studies make it clear that mule and hinny fertility, at least for the female hybrid, is a real possibility.

Postnatal evolution of the human pineal gland. An immunohistochemical study

Pineal glands from 16 infants ranging from 38 weeks gestation to 3 years of age were fixed in buffered formalin; Paraffin sections were stained for neuron-specific enolase, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and S-100 protein (S-100) using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method and hematoxylin and eosin, Masson-Fontana, and Bodian stains. The pineal glands of neonates consisted of cords of closely packed, dark, nucleated cells (type I) with intervening loosely arranged, large, clear cells (type II). The type I cells were frequently pigmented and occasionally exhibited rosette formation. They were positive for S-100 and negative for neuron-specific enolase. The type II cells were strongly positive for neuron-specific enolase and negative for melanin and S-100. The type I cells were the predominant cell type at birth; however, the number of type II cells gradually increased with age, and by the age of 1 year, only scattered S-100 positive cells, consistent with sustentacular cells, were found. The findings indicated that the human pineal glands undergo a remarkable morphologic and functional evolution as an endocrine organ in the postnatal life.

Fatal cytomegalovirus infection and coronary arterial thromboses after heart transplantation: a case report

A 36-year-old woman died because of disseminated cytomegalovirus infection after a heart allograft transplantation was performed. Autopsy revealed that widespread coronary arterial thromboses were associated with cytomegalovirus infection of endothelial cells. Its possible pathogenetic mechanism and significance were discussed.

Synthesis of two-party error-recoverable protocols

We have developed a correct, general, and efficient procedure of synthesizing two-party error-recoverable protocols for noisy channels where messages could be lost, corrupted, and/or missequenced. The state explosion problem has been tackled by synthesizing the error-recoverable protocol (ERP) from its noiseless local entity model using certain rules. This reduction arises from the approaches of local modeling and elaboration. We expect that these two approaches will also play a major role in tackling the complexity problems in designing multi-party protocols. Measures of efficiency and functionality improvements have been discussed.

Characterization of a new monoclonal antibody to a cell surface antigen on colorectal cancer and fetal gut tissues

Murine hybridoma were raised against the human colon carcinoma cell line CL-187. One clone was found to secrete a monoclonal antibody (ND-1) that recognizes a large external antigen (LEA) on human colon carcinoma cells. With indirect immunofluorescence on formaldehyde-fixed cells, more than 90% of the human colorectal carcinoma cell lines tested expressed LEA. Almost all of the 46 human noncolorectal and nonhuman cell lines tested did not express LEA, including cancer cell lines from other endodermally derived tissues. Staining of frozen sections from human colorectal tumors, noncolorectal tumors, normal adult, and normal fetal tissues showed expression of the antigen on colorectal cancer tissue, fetal colon, and fetal biliary epithelium. LEA can also be detected in the serum and ascites of colorectal cancer patients. Double indirect immunofluorescence with rabbit anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) antibody and ND-1 monoclonal antibody on a human colorectal carcinoma cell line showed that LEA is distinct from CEA. Physicochemical analysis of LEA showed that it has a large molecular weight, is resistant to extraction from the cell surface, and that sialic acid is an important component of the antigenic site. Because of the specificity for colorectal cancer tissue along with certain biochemical properties, LEA appears to be unique when compared with other tumor-associated antigens. Further research is needed to define the clinical usefulness of LEA in either the diagnosis or treatment of colorectal carcinoma.

Effect of aging on human aortic protein composition. II. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis

Arterial intima proteins were extracted by 9 M urea from matching histologically atheroma-free areas of 27 human thoracic aortas of both sexes from younger (15-34) and older (35-82) age groups and studied after separation by high-resolution two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Seventeen specific protein groups on each gel were identified according to their relative charges and molecular weights and their distribution in the two age groups compared. Some plasma-derived proteins occurred rarely in young aortas while they were consistently found in those from older cases, i.e., protein group 4 (alpha 1-antichymotrypsin) 1/13 (8%) vs 12/14 (86%), group 7 (haptoglobin beta-chain) 1/13 (8%) vs 13/14 (93%) and groups 6 and 9 (IgG chains) 3/13 (23%) vs 9/14 (64%), respectively. Other plasma-derived proteins such as group 3 (albumin) and 5 (alpha 1-antitrypsin) were identified in all samples of both age groups but their expression in the aortic intima increased with age. Proteins which are typically found intracellularly such as those from groups 11 (actin), 12 (cytoskeleton proteins), and 13 (tropomyosin-like proteins) appeared in samples of intima of both age groups but were less apparent in older specimens. These studies suggest that the changes in aortic intima protein distribution in the absence of atherosclerosis closely correlate with histological changes such as intimal thickening often found with aging, providing new sensitive markers of vascular senescence.

Effect of aging on human aortic protein composition. I. One-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis of tissue extracts

Proteins extracted from matching areas of homogenized intimas of 17 human aortas, from two age groups (15-34 and 35-82), were studied after separation by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, silver staining, and densitometric scanning. Several definite protein bands including 6 major and 16 minor bands were identified in 17 aortic intima samples grossly and microscopically lesion free. However, such electrophoretic patterns were found to differ in the two age groups studied. For instance, (1) the integrated densities (amounts) of protein bands 1, 6, 13, 16, and 19 which we interpreted as of mural vascular origin were significantly higher in the younger age group, whereas the amounts of bands 2, 7, 9, 11, and 21 suspected to be of plasma origin were found to be significantly higher in the older age group; (2) protein band No. 8 was found to be double in the younger age group vs a single line in the older age group, whereas band No. 12 was the opposite. These changes in protein composition appear to correlate closely with diffuse intimal thickening found histologically in older age group, and will be further studied to relate to those in atherosclerotic lesions.