Regeneration of transgenic plants from the commercial apple cultivar Royal Gala

A transformation system was developed for the commercial apple (Malus X domestica Borkh.) cultivar Royal Gala. Leaf pieces from in vitro-grown shoots were cocultivated for 2 days with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 containing the binary vectors pKIWI105 or pKIWI110. Shoots were produced on a shooting medium containing kanamycin (50 mg·L(-1)). A 2-day incubation period on kanamycin-free medium prior to antibiotic selection enhanced the regeneration of kanamycin-resistant shoots. The majority of the kanamycin-resistant shoots also expressed GUS (β-glucuronidase) activity. The putatively transformed shoots were rooted on a medium containing kanamycin (50 mg·L(-1)). Rooted plants were established in a greenhouse, and plants transformed with pKIWI110, which contains a mutant Arabidopsis acetolactate synthase gene, were shown to be resistant to the herbicide Glean(™). Integration of T-DNA into the apple genome was confirmed by PCR and Southern hybridization analyses.

Neural anatomy of the glenohumeral ligaments, labrum, and subacromial bursa

The neural histology of the human shoulder ligaments, glenoid labrum, and subacromial bursae were studied using a modified gold chloride stain. Two morphological types of mechanoreceptors and free nerve endings were found in the ligaments. Slow adapting Ruffini end organs and rapidly adapting Pacinian corpuscles were identified in the superior, middle, inferior, and the posterior glenohumeral ligaments. These specialized proprioceptive nerve endings were also found in the coracoclavicular, and coracoacromial ligaments. Only free nerve endings were found in the glenoid labrum and these were located in the peripheral half. Scattered free nerve endings were found throughout the subacromial bursae. This is the first histological evidence of neural receptors in the human shoulder ligaments, glenoid labrum, and the subacromial bursae. Any disruption of the labrum or these ligaments by trauma or surgery can deprive the shoulder of mechanical stability, and may cause a decrease in proprioception because of the loss of these afferent neural receptors. Removal of symptomatic, inflamed bursae may decrease pain signals from this area of the shoulder.

Atmospheric chemistry of gas-phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: formation of atmospheric mutagens

The atmospheric chemistry of the 2- to 4-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which exist mainly in the gas phase in the atmosphere, is discussed. The dominant loss process for the gas-phase PAH is by reaction with the hydroxyl radical, resulting in calculated lifetimes in the atmosphere of generally less than one day. The hydroxyl (OH) radical-initiated reactions and nitrate (NO3) radical-initiated reactions often lead to the formation of mutagenic nitro-PAH and other nitropolycyclic aromatic compounds, including nitrodibenzopyranones. These atmospheric reactions have a significant effect on ambient mutagenic activity, indicating that health risk assessments of combustion emissions should include atmospheric transformation products.

A method of pre-operative assessment for posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

The use of the bone-patellar tendon-bone graft has been well established in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The value of this graft in posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction has not been documented. A template was used to identify the origin and insertion of the PCL on standard lateral radiographs of the knee. Those patients who were found at arthroscopy to have an intact articular surface were measured using the template. Thirty-nine patients (40 knees) were included for study, the difference between the PCL and patellar tendon length was expressed as a percentage. The mean was 125% (range 98-165%). To assess the reproducibility of the technique, in 17 patients a repeat radiograph was taken and the two measurements compared. These were found to have a significant correlation (Rs coefficient 0.79, P < 0.001). The use of autologous bone-patellar tendon-bone graft obviates the need for allograft with its incumbent problems. This method of measurement indicates that the patellar tendon graft would be long enough to be suitable for PCL reconstruction in the majority of cases.

Sign conventions in magneto-optical calculations and measurements

A brief outline is given of the multiplicity of sign conventions appearing in the literature in association with theoretical and experimental topics concerning magneto-optics. It is shown that there are essentially two competing schemes available for the description of magneto-optical effects and that these are not, in all respects, entirely equivalent. A summary of these sign conventions is presented, and reasons are given for the adoption of a particular preferred scheme.

Early loss of heterozygosity on 17q in ovarian cancer. The Abe Ovarian Cancer Genetics Group

We have studied 146 ovarian tumours (94 carcinomas, 22 tumours of low malignant potential and 30 benign tumours) for evidence of allele loss on chromosome 17p and 17q sufficient to imply the proximity of a tumour-suppressor gene. We have examined two polymorphic loci (YNZ22.2 and BHP53) on 17p13 and one on chromosome 17q (17q23-qter). Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was detected in 34/63 (54%) informative malignant tumours at YNZ22.2 and 22/47 (47%) at BHP53; on 17q, 45/64 (70%) had LOH. Allele loss was detected in a small number of benign and borderline tumours. There was a statistically significant difference between the patterns of allele loss in serous and endometrioid groups of tumours, and allele loss occurred with significantly greater frequency on 17q than on 17p. Comparison of all malignant tumours presenting with either localized (FIGO stage I/II) or widespread (FIGO stage III/IV) disease showed that, particularly on 17q, allele loss increases in the more advanced stages. The p53 tumour-suppressor gene is implicated in ovarian carcinogenesis, and our findings suggest that an important tumour-suppressor gene may be located in the region 17q23-qter. Loss of function in this gene may be responsible for the frequently observed rapid progression of serous-type adenocarcinomas to an advanced stage.

Design, fabrication, and performance of enhanced magneto-optic quadrilayers with controllable ellipticity

An outline is given of a technique for designing quadrilayers that enhance the magneto-optic polar Kerr effect by maximizing the signal-to-noise ratio associated with readout systems utilizing differential detection. The method is particularly novel in that it produces maximized Kerr rotations with controllable ellipticities by using a systematic design procedure that does not involve computer-driven iterative techniques that search for optimum film structures. A number of quadrilayers, based on the ZnS-TbFeCo-ZnS-Al system, have been prepared using rf and dc sputtering and conventional evaporation techniques. The performance of the devices in terms of the basic optical and magneto-optical functions is good compared with theoretical predictions, both at the design wavelength and at all other regions of the spectrum, in the range 400-800 nm.

A randomised study comparing standard dose carboplatin with chlorambucil and carboplatin in advanced ovarian cancer

A total of 161 previously untreated patients with FIGO stage III or IV epithelial ovarian cancer were randomised after surgery to receive six courses of either carboplatin 400 mg m-2 alone (Arm A) or carboplatin 300 mg m-2 with chlorambucil 10 mg day-1 for 7 days (Arm B). The median progression free survival (PFS) was similar: arm A: 45 weeks; arm B: 61 weeks (P = 0.830). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the extent of residual disease and performance status were the most important prognostic factors for PFS. Fifty-two per cent of patients received dose escalations based on nadir blood counts, and 89% of all dose adjustments were made according to protocol. Failure to achieve a significant degree of leucopenia was associated with worse progression free survival (P less than 0.001). A total of 29.4% of patients fall into this category. The median survival was similar in both arms, i.e. 75 weeks. It is unlikely that there is any major clinical advantage to adding chlorambucil to single agent carboplatin for the management of advanced ovarian cancer, but whether used in combination or a single agent, the dose of carboplatin should be sufficient to cause at least grade I leucopenia. This may best be achieved by determining the initial dose based on renal function, and then adjusting subsequent doses according to nadir blood counts.

Bioassay-directed fractionation of mutagenic PAH atmospheric photooxidation products and ambient particulate extracts

Simulated atmospheric gas-phase reactions of naphthalene, fluorene and phenanthrene have been carried out in an environmental chamber with bioassay-directed chemical analysis of the reaction products. Nitro-PAH were found to be the most significant mutagens formed from the reactions of naphthalene and fluorene. The mutagram (bar graph of mutagenic activity versus HPLC fraction) of the phenanthrene reaction products closely resembled that of an ambient air particulate extract with the most mutagenic activity being in a fraction more polar than that in which the nitro-PAH elute. Nitrophenanthrene lactones (nitro-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-ones) were found to account for the observed activity of this polar fraction of the phenanthrene reaction products. It has been shown that the utilization of an environmental chamber with a known PAH-starting material and the ability to produce sufficient product for isomer-specific identifications of mutagens is a promising complement to bioassay-directed fractionation of ambient air particulate extracts.

Normality and adolescence

Diagnostic work with adolescents has always been difficult. The problem is to distinguish serious psychopathology from mild crisis. We can now say, however, that a severe identity crisis and emotional turmoil are just not part of normal growing up. Our belief is that we do not help adolescents who experience such crises or turmoil when we tell them not to worry about their problems because they are a normal part of adolescence and because they will "grow out of it." In summary, we have presented data on the self-image of a large number of adolescents. We have stressed three things. First, we used self-administered questionnaires to collect our data. Most important, our data are consistent, and they are congruent with results obtained from use of other psychologic instruments such as interviews or parents' evaluations of their children. Second, we found that the normal groups of adolescents we studied were characterized more by their similarities than by their differences. The continuity of values for all our samples over an 18-year period and across cultures was especially impressive. Third, we stressed the diversity of adolescents' view of their psychologic worlds. These youths define normal functioning and development. They reside in our communities, and before we can help their disturbed peers who need professional help, we need to know what the norm is. Only then can we correctly diagnose and successfully treat the adolescents who do seek our help.