Overexpression of the E1B 55-kilodalton (482R) protein of human adenovirus type 12 appears to permit efficient transformation of primary baby rat kidney cells in the absence of the E1B 19-kilodalton protein

To analyze the structure and function of the E1B 19,000-molecular-weight protein (19K protein) (163R) of human adenovirus type 12, mutants were produced at various positions across the 163R-coding sequence. Viruses bearing mutations within the first 100 or so amino acids yielded unstable 163R-related products, induced DNA degradation and enhanced cytopathic effect (cyt/deg phenotype) in KB cells, and transformed primary rodent cells at much lower efficiencies than wild-type (wt) virus. Deletion of the final 16 residues at the carboxy terminus had no phenotypic effect. Alteration of residue 105 reduced transforming efficiency significantly, suggesting that this region of 163R is functionally important. Disruption of the AUG initiation codon at nucleotide 1542 blocked production of 163R completely but resulted in higher levels of E1B 55K-482R protein synthesis and a transforming efficiency similar to that of wt virus. These data suggested that while 163R is of some importance, normal transforming efficiencies can be obtained in its absence if 482R is overexpressed.

Visualization of the plasmin receptor on carcinoma cells

In order to visualize the receptor for plasmin and plasminogen present on human carcinoma cells, SW1116 and MCF7-MF cells were incubated with biotinylated plasminogen or plasmin and fluoresceinated streptavidin, and counterstained with propidium iodide. It was first demonstrated that biotinylation did not alter the binding properties of plasminogen and plasmin, provided that the biotinylation rate was around 2. Specific staining of tumor cells was obtained using these reagents. Images with green fluorescence were clearly visible as grains or contours at the surface of tumor cells. The localization of fluorescent grains was analyzed more precisely using confocal microscopy. The percentage of stained cells varied from one experiment to another between 10 and 60%. In no experiment were all the cells observed to be positive. Mitotic cells were more frequently stained than non-mitotic cells, suggesting a relationship between the presence of plasmin receptors and cell proliferation. This was confirmed by the use of Ki67 monoclonal antibody (MAb), as B-Pg-binding tumor cells generally had their nucleus stained by this antibody. Other images indicated staining of the extracellular matrix. Finally, 2 rat tumor-cell sub-lines of colonic origin (DHD K12 Pro-b and Reg-b) were shown to bind human biotinylated plasminogen, confirming the strong interspecies reactivity of plasmin receptors.

[Study of quantitative diagnosis of cerebral arteriosclerosis]

On the basis of clinical diagnostic criterion of cerebral arteriosclerosis, we selected, 72 patients with cerebral arteriosclerosis, 72 patients with suspected cerebral arteriosclerosis and 70 healthy individuals and screened 42 variables obtained from clinical and accessory examination with a stepwise discriminant analysis and a stepwise regression analysis. Finally we performed a logistic discriminant analysis of 15 selected variables in order to establish diagnostic discriminant formulas, Ya and Yc. It was found that a diagnostic coincidence rate for rediscriminant analysis of 212 individuals with the formulas was 100%. Very high sensitivity (96.7%), specificity (100%), positive predicted value (100%), negative predicted value (83.3%) and accuracy (97.1%) were noted in a prospective double-blind test on 34 subjects. The authors suggest that the discriminant formulas Ya and Yc established for diagnosis of cerebral arteriosclerosis be widely applicated.

[Purification and characterization of alpha-glucosidase from an extreme thermophile, Thermus thermophilus HB 8]

A highly thermostable alpha-glucosidase (E C.3.2.1.20) from an extreme thermophile, Thermus thermophilus HB 8, was purified to homogeneous by ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-cellulose chromatography and preparative slab gel electrophoresis. The enzyme was purified 17 fold with 21% recovery of activity. The enzyme had a molecular weight of 67000 by SDS-PAGE. The isoelectric point was pH4.5 by IEF on PAG. The enzyme hydrolized p-nitrophenyl-alpha-glucoside (PN-PG), sucrose and maltose, but not cellobiose, melibiose and soluble starch. The km value for PNPG was 0.4mmol/L, the Vmax was 0.29 mumol.min-1.mg-1. The enzyme exhibited high thermostability. After incubation at 90 degrees C for 10 h in 50 mmol/L acetate buffer pH 5.8, the enzyme retained 90% of its original activity. The half-live (t1/2) at 95 degrees C was 108 min. The enzyme was activated by Mg2+, Mn2+, Ca2+, Ba2+ and strongly inhibited by Hg2+, Cu2+. Modification of the enzyme by EDC or DEPC led to complete loss of activity, which suggests that carboxyl group(s) and histidine residue(s) are essential for activity of alpha-glucosidase.

Diastolic mitral regurgitation in intact mitral valve detected by color Doppler echocardiography in a patient with acute aortic regurgitation

A 38-year-old man was admitted with coingestive heart failure due to infective endocarditis. Echocardiography with color Doppler imaging revealed severe aortic regurgitation, mitral valve premature closure and diastolic mitral regurgitation. The flow of the diastolic mitral regurgitation was directed to the posterior wall of the left atrium through just behind the posterior mitral leaflet. The diastolic mitral regurgitation was observed only in the period of late diastole and no mitral regurgitation could be detected in the systolic phase. After successful aortic valve replacement, the diastolic mitral regurgitation disappeared completely.

Morbidity due to schistosomiasis japonica in the People's Republic of China

Transmission and morbidity induced by Schistosoma japonicum were evaluated in 825 individuals undergoing periodic treatment with praziquantel on Jishan island, Jiangxi Providence, in the People's Republic of China. Eggs of S. japonicum were found in the stools of 39.4% of the population; 70% of those infected were less than 20 years of age. Hepatomegaly greater than 3 cm in the midsternal line was detected by physical examination and ultrasonography in 75% and 90% of individuals, respectively, regardless of infection status. Symmer's clay pipe-stem fibrosis of the liver was detected by ultrasonography in 20% of all individuals. Hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody to hepatitis C were found in 11% and less than 1% of the population, respectively. Our study suggests that, despite intermittent chemotherapy, morbidity due to S. japonicum is still a significant problem in China.

Inhibitory effect of tetrandrine on lens proteins-induced ocular inflammation in rabbits

Ocular inflammation was induced by 25 microliters of lens proteins (62.5mg/ml) injected into anterior chamber of the rabbit eye. Tetrandrine (Tet) (50mg/kg ip) and Indomethacin (Ind) (20 mg/kg ip) showed marked inhibition on this ocular inflammation. Maximum inhibition rate of Tet and Ind was 65% and 66% and their anti-inflammation action lasted 5 and 4 h, respectively. In the early phase of ocular inflammation (at 2 h) the total content of prostaglandin E(PGES) in the iris was reduced by Tet and Ind. Ind showed a greater effect than Tet on PGES. Tet also inhibited leukocyte chemotaxis significantly at late phase of inflammation. No significant effect was observed on the IOP recovery following reduction by 20% NaCl iv. Topical instillation of 50 microliters of 2% Tet did not display any inhibition of ocular inflammation. These results indicate that Tet is an effective ocular antiinflammatory agent without producing ocular hypertension. The antiinflammatory mechanism of Tet in early phase (at 2 h) was related to inhibition of PGES synthesis. The relationship between ocular anti-inflammation and calcium antagonism of Tet was discussed.

Liposomes and conjugate vaccines for antigen delivery and induction of mucosal immune responses

In this brief review, emphasis was placed on the effectiveness of liposomes as carriers/vehicles of soluble antigens and as adjuvants for use in oral vaccine development. Evidence was provided that oral administration of antigen in liposomes resulted in a mucosal response which was higher than that obtained when the oral vaccine consisted of antigen alone. Specific mucosal responses were enhanced by incorporating lipophilic MDP into the antigen/liposome vaccines. Antigens shown to be effective in inducing a protective mucosal response when given in an oral liposome vaccine were anti-idiotypic antibodies, purified S. mutans GTF, CHO and Ag I/II. Evidence is also provided that CTB may be an effective oral adjuvant when coupled to proteins or peptides by either chemical or genetic methods. Further studies, however, will be required to characterize the effectiveness and safety of CTB in conjugate vaccines for inducing specific mucosal responses and to develop practical means to prepare oral liposome vaccines for use in humans.

[Preliminary studies on subtypes of respiratory syncytial virus in China]

An analysis of subtypes of 9 respiratory syncytial (RS) viruses isolated from Guangzhou and Nanjing areas of china was carried out with eight Sweden RS-subtype specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and 7 internal anti-RS MAbs. All these MAbs directed against respectively the large Glycoprotein (G), fusion protein (F), nucleoprotein (NP), and phosphoprotein (P) components of the prototype Long strain of RS virus. The patterns of the reactions of these MAbs to the nine isolated strains of RS virus were compared with indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), alkaline phosphoesterase-anti alkaline phosphoesterase (APAAP) enzyme-linked assay and Western blotting. The antigenic variations were founded among the strains of RS virus, and two subtypes allocated to the subtype A and B of RS virus by using the eight RS-subtype specific MAbs. Seven out of the 9 isolated strains of RS virus belonged to the subtype A, and two were being to the subtype B. The antigenic diversities were also founded within the same subtype, and the main pronounced difference were observed on the G glycoprotein by using the internal anti-RS MAbs. These findings are potentially important both for vaccine development and for the understanding of clinical and epidemiological characteristics of RS virus.

An antihypertensive factor in the erythrocytes of essential hypertensive subjects--effects on blood pressure and calcium uptake by vascular tissue in rats

An extract prepared from the erythrocytes of essential hypertensive subjects was found to significantly lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) in spontaneously (SHR) and renal hypertensive rats (RHR) following a single intravenous or intraperitoneal injection: The maximum SBP reduction was 42.8 mmHg in SHR and 38.3 mmHg in RHR. In contrast, this hypertensive factor (AHF) had little effect on normotensive Wistar Kyoto and Wistar rats. AHF was also found to significantly suppress Ca2+ uptake by vascular smooth muscle in the mesenteric artery and aorta of hypertensive and normotensive rats (P less than 0.05, respectively). Furthermore, AHF prepared from the erythrocytes of normotensive subjects was shown to have a similar effect.

[Applied anatomy of lymph drainage of lower lip mucosa]

The lymph drainage of lower lip mucosa was studied in 30 fresh cadavers of fetus and neonatus by submucosa injection of 30% Prussian blue of chloroform solution. The collecting lymphatics in lateral third of both the right and left sides of the lower lip mucosa ran laterally to the angles of the mouth, and then back- and downward between mandible and depressor muscle of angle of mouth, and finally, accompanying the facial vessels, emptied into submandibular lymph nodes. The efferent lymphatics of the latter emptied into angular lymph nodes and jugulo-omohyoid lymph nodes. The collecting lymphatics in the middle third of the lower lip mucosa went superficially to the mental muscle and downward into submental lymph nodes. The efferent lymphatic of the latter emptied, anteriorly to the body of the hyoid bone, latter- and downward into right and left jugulo-omohyoid lymph nodes. All collecting lymphatics lie in the loose connective tissue between the muscles.

[Clinical value of the Chengdu classification of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas]

Two hundred forty-nine cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) were reviewed by using the working classification of NHL (Chengdu, 1985). The results showed that the patients of 249 cases of NHL ranging in age from 5 to 76 years, with the mean age of 42 of the types were separated into three major prognostic groupings as follows: 1. low (41 of 249 cases, small lymphocytic 27 cases, lymphoplasmacytoid 2 cases, follicular cleaved 7 cases, follicular cleaved and noncleaved 5 cases); 2. intermediate (58 of 249 cases, diffuse cleaved 28 cases, diffuse cleaved and noncleaved 27 cases, follicular noncleaved 3 cases); and 3. high grade malignancy (150 of 249 cases, diffuse noncleaved 49 cases, lymphoblastic 41 cases, immunoblastic 13 cases, polymorphic 39 cases, clear cell 2 cases, histiocytic 6 cases). Each group was significantly different from the others (P less than 0.05). The prognosis of patients with angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy like T-cell lymphoma (9 of 249 cases) was not more significant (P greater than 0.05) than that of patients with other polymorphic lymphoma (30 of 249 cases). The results showed this Chengdu classification of NHL is good for practice and usage in clinical evaluation and routine surgical pathology.

Case of atypical cyclopia

A case of atypical cyclopia, involving the right eye with double lens, cornea, iris, and ciliary body, is reported. The possible mechanism of the histogenesis is discussed, together with a review of the relevant literature.

[Distribution and eclosion of Hierdula patellifera Servill's eggs]

A study has been made on the distribution and eclosion of the eggs of Hierdula patellifera as well as on the behavior of their nymphs. The study may serve as a guideline for biological and ecological studies of the insect.

[The role of transmission electron microscopy played in diagnosis of knotty tumors]

Eight cases were reported in order to elucidate the important role of electron microscopy (EM) played in diagnosis of knotty tumors. The diagnosis of tumors made by light microscopy (LM) could be confirmed, corrected or eliminated with EM, and the types and histogenesis of tumors could be decided more accurately with EM than with LM. But EM has its inherent limitations, so it is emphasized that diagnosis made by EM must rest on solid basis of LM, and sometimes EM should be combined with other methods, such as histochemistry and immunohistochemistry.

Studies on antipeptic ulcer agents: the quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis of heterocyclic aldehyde N4-substituted phenyl (thio) semicarbazones

Forty-five condensation products of furan-, pyrrole- and N-methyl pyrrole-alpha-carboaldehyde with N4-3- or N4-4-substituted phenyl semicarbazones and thiosemicarbazones were designed to optimize the antiulcer activity of a previously derived lead structure, formula II. Quantitative structure-activity relationships revealed that among the series of semicarbazones, increasing hydrophobicity and the introduction of electron-donating groups into the phenyl ring raise the antiulcer activity. Generally, semicarbazones are more active than the corresponding thiosemicarbazones. The wide gulf between the activity and toxicity of two derivatives (Compounds III and IV) necessitates further investigation of their pharmacological effects.

Inhibition of anaphylaxis-evoked intestinal fluid secretion by the dual application of an H1 antagonist and cyclooxygenase inhibitor

The regulation of anaphylaxis-mediated fluid secretion by the small intestine was examined in rats immunized by infection with Trichinella spiralis and reinfected by intraduodenal injection with L1 larvae. Net fluid secretion, which was measured as the volume of fluid present in the intestine 30 minutes after the challenge infection, was significantly greater in both actively and passively immunized rats than in nonimmune rats. The amount of fluid recovered from the immune host was equivalent to that secreted in response to 50 micrograms/kg of prostaglandin E2 or 250 micrograms/kg of cholera toxin. Worm-induced fluid secretion in immune hosts was reduced by treatment with diphenhydramine and inhibited by the dual application of diphenhydramine and indomethacin. Indomethacin alone had no effect despite inhibiting mucosal prostaglandin synthesis. Fluid secretion was unaltered by prior treatment of immune rats with a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, L-651,392, and only slightly reduced when L-651,392 was used in combination with indomethacin. After a challenge infection, more histamine was released into intestinal loops of immune rats than those of nonimmune rats. Prechallenge treatment of immune rats with indomethacin caused a twofold increase in histamine release. In summary, anaphylaxis-induced fluid secretion in the small intestine is mediated largely by histamine and cyclooxygenase products. This secretion can be lowered by treatment with diphenhydramine and further reduced by diphenhydramine in combination with indomethacin. The paradoxical effects of indomethacin when used alone and in combination with diphenhydramine are explained by the downregulation of histamine release by products of the cyclooxygenase pathway.

[New approach for management of retinal detachment with macular hole]

Three kinds of unconventional methods were used to treat retinal detachment with macular hole in 17 cases (17 eyes). A combination of vitrectomy, transscleral drainage and intraocular air injection was used for the cases of retinal detachment with macular hole and evident vitreous traction. Transscleral drainage combined with air injection was used for those of macular hole without vitreous traction. For the cases of combined peripheral and macular holes, we treated only peripheral holes, ignoring the macular hole. After a 3-16 months follow-up, 15 out of the 17 eyes obtained retinal anatomic reattachment (88.2%), 10 eyes had their vision improved, 4 eyes remained unchanged, 9 eyes obtained a visual acuity of better than 0.05 postoperatively. Compared with the conventional method of macular buckling, these procedures have the advantages of less damage to macula, less complications and more satisfactory visual improvement.

[Species differences in subacute toxicity of pyrrole aldehyde N4-(4-methoxyphenyl) semicarbazone]

The subacute toxicity of compound 1 was investigated in rats and dogs. Compound 1 was administered orally to rats of both sexes at daily doses of 0.5, 1.0 or 2.5 g/kg for 3 months. No change attributable to the administration of compound 1 was found either in blood count or in histopathological examination. Decreases in SGPT, alkaline phosphatase and lactic acid dehydrogenase and an increase in serum cholesterol were detected. Compound 1 was mixed with food and given to dogs of both sexes daily at doses of 0.2 or 0.5 g/kg for 3 months. Severe toxic symptoms including anorexia, emesis, ataxia and convulsive seizures were observed. A decrease in SGPT and increase in alkaline phosphatase were also detected. Hyperemia of the duodenal mucosa and severe kidney lesions were found in histopathological examination. Neither abnormality of appearance nor histopathological change was found in a pig receiving compound 1 at the daily dose of 0.1 g/kg for 3 months. The results suggest that there are differences of compound 1 metabolism among the species used in this study.

[Safety observation of attenuated live hepatitis B vaccine (H2 strain) in humans]

3089 healthy persons, aged 4 to 27 years, have been inoculated in 3 batches with attenuated live hepatitis A vaccine (H2 strain) since May, 1987. Each subject received 10(8.5) TCID dosage subcutaneously in the upper arm. None of the recipients developed any local or systemic reaction during a 42-day followup after vaccination. The serum enzyme activities, including SGPT/ALT and LDH5, were within normal range during the 4th to 16th weeks of serial tests after inoculation. The study of hepatitis A virus (HAV) shedding in feces of 4 subjects showed that no hepatitis A antigen (HAAg) was detected with antigen capture ELISA, but infectious HAV was recovered from stool-cell cultures in three of four recipients. No patient with hepatitis A was found within 6 months after vaccination in the institution where the HAV vaccine was used. In addition, no immunological evidence was seen that the HAV vaccine recipients can transmit HAV after the investigation of serological epidemiology at a class in which the HAV vaccine was tested. It is suggested that the potential of hepatitis A related to HAV vaccine among the non-vaccinated persons is rare. Seroconversion occurred at a mean time of 2 to 5 weeks after inoculation, and the positive rate of specific antibody was 95.6%.

Role of molecular diffusion in conventional and high frequency ventilation

The influence of molecular diffusion on gas-mixing during conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) and high frequency ventilation (HFV) was studied by observing the wash-in of six poorly soluble, inert gases in arterial blood. Anesthetized dogs were ventilated either with CMV or HFV. Following a step change in inspired gas composition, the increase in arterial concentrations of hydrogen, helium, methane, ethane, isobutane, and sulfur hexafluoride was determined by gas chromatography. The relative gas diffusivities encompassed a range of almost one order of magnitude. Propane, present in inspired gas during both the control and wash-in phases, served as an internal reference for calculation of blood tracer concentrations. The wash-in of all six inert gases followed a single exponential time course during both CMV and HFV. The rate of wash-in of each gas decreased with increasing molecular weight (MW). The relationship of rate constants to a measure of relative diffusivity (MW-0.5) was significantly different than zero for both types of ventilation. The slope of this relationship was three times larger for CMV than HFV, indicating that molecular diffusion has a greater role in gas mixing during ventilation with large tidal volumes. Diffusion has a minor role in gas mixing during high frequency ventilation with small tidal volumes. Demonstration of the presence of gas separation secondary to molecular diffusion during HFV is enhanced by measuring wash-in, rather than wash-out, of inert gases because gas separation is likely to be obscured as exhaled gases pass through the well-mixed central airways during gas wash-out.

Control of src kinase activity by activators, inhibitors, and substrate chaperones

The activities of src tyrosine kinases are greatly influenced by substrate modulators (chaperones). In the presence of bovine serum albumin, the phosphorylation of a random polymer of glutamic acid, alanine, and tyrosine (1:1:1) by src kinases is stimulated 20- to 100-fold, but there is little stimulation with a polymer of glutamic acid and tyrosine (4:1) as substrate. This suggests that serum albumin interacts with the substrates rather than with the enzyme. groEL and several other heat shock proteins also stimulate the phosphorylation of a random polymer of glutamic acid, alanine, and tyrosine (1:1:1). In the absence of substrate modulators, the phosphorylation of calmodulin and of several ras proteins by src kinase is barely detectable. In the presence of polylysine or protamine, marked phosphorylation is observed. Another type of control of src kinase activities appears to be directed toward the enzyme rather than the substrate. Triton X-100 extracts of plasma membranes of bovine brain contain a heat-stable factor that stimulates c-src kinase activity with any of the polymers as substrate. The same extract contains a heat-labile factor that preferentially inhibits c-src kinase activity. The two factors are separated by DEAE-Sephacel and phosphocellulose chromatography. The presence of the activator enhances the potency of the inhibitor.

[Comparative study of Campylobacter pyloridis and Campylobacter jejuni under electron microscope]

Specimens were made by preparing the ultrathin sections after negative staining and ruthenium red staining. The specimens were observed under electron microscope. Results revealed that the shapes of Campylobacter pyloridis (Cp) and C. jejuni (Cj) were similar, but distinctive differences in their structures were observed. Cp had one to five sheathed flagella at one end with bulbous tips. Cj had only one unsheathed flagellum on each end without a bulbous tip. The cell body of Cp was longer than that of Cj. A layer of thick and dense delicate filament-like substance was attached to the surface of the cell body of Cp in the ultrathin sections with ruthenium red staining, in the case of Cj only a little of such a substance could be noted.

[Prenatal sex identification with biotinylated human Y-specific DNA probe]

Using biotinylated human Y-specific DNA probe PHY2.1 and Cos 84, we carried out Southern and dot hybridization with human DNA from artificially aborted chorionic villi, and with DNA of peripheral lymphocytes from normal male and female. The results show that PHY2.1 may be applied in prenatal sex identification both by Southern and by dot hybridization but with Cos 84, only Southern hybridization could be used.

The changes of BPA level in 31 cases of children with aplastic anaemia and its clinical significance

Burst-promoting activity (BPA) was measured in the sera from 31 children with aplastic anaemia (AA). BPA levels were elevated in most of the children with AA (65.2%), the mean value (137.7 +/- 18.4%) being significantly higher than that in normal children (69.6 +/- 9.4%), in children in the recovery period and in children with non-aplastic anaemia. There was a negative relationship between the BPA level in children with AA and the peripheral haemoglobin concentration. The BPA level was higher in those whose duration of illness was shorter than 1 year. In three cases of AA caused by chloramphenicol and benzene hexachloride and one case of congenital pure red cell AA, the BPA level was not elevated. Eleven patients received fetal liver cell suspensions intravenously (FLI). After FLI the BPA level in their sera was significantly reduced. According to these results, it appears that the elevation of BPA level is a special phenomenon of AA. The measurement of BPA in serum is helpful for differentiation between AA and other kinds of anaemia. The elevation of the BPA level in serum is a biological compensation for the haematopoietic disorder, and the measurement of BPA in the serum of patients with AA may be helpful in evaluating the haematopoietic condition.

[Purification and characterization of beta-N-acetyl hexosaminidase from Aspergillus tamarii]

A beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase from mycelium-free culture filtrate of Asp tamarii S215 was purified to PAGE homogenous by ammonium sulfate and polyethylene glycol fractionation precipitation followed by Sephadex G-50 desalt, DEAE-Sephadex A-25 chromatography, hydroxyapatite chromatography and DEAE-Sephadex A-25 rechromatography with 170-fold purification and 24.7% recovery. The ratio of the beta-GlcNAcase and beta-GalNAcase was 2.5 and remained constant throughout the purification. The Mr estimated with concentration gradient PAGE was 140,000 and subunit Mr determined with SDS-PAGE was 72,000, the number of subunit were 2. The pI was 4.2 determined by PAGIEF. The optimum pH was 5.5-6.5 and 5.0-6.0 for beta-GlcNAcase and beta-GalNAcase respectively with stable pH range 5.5-8.3 for both. The optimum temperature was 60 degrees C for beta-GlcNAcase and beta-GalNAcase. The residual activity of beta-GlcNAcase was 52.7% after treated at 50 degrees C for 8 h and it was 44.9% for beta-GalNAcase. The residual activities of both were down to 1% after treated at 62 degrees C for 10 min. The activity was slightly activated by Mn2+ or Fe2+, while strongly inhibited by Hg2+ and slightly by Ag+, Cu2+, Pb2+, Cd2+ or Zn2+. Analyses of amino acids composition showed that the beta-HexNAcase contained about 24.2% acidic amino acids and 14.9% basic amino acids and only 0.6% methionine.

[Study on change in zinc concentration for diabetic cataractous lenses in rats by means of XIXA]

The SD rats were injected with streptozotocin to induce diabetic cataract. Element Zn as well as K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Pb, Se, etc. in the eye lenses was determined by means of X-ray induced X-fluorescence analysis (XIXA). Compared to values for normal healthy rats, the concentration of Zn and Fe in the cataractous lenses increased, the concentration of K decreased, and that of the others did not change prominently. The change in Zn concentration was probably to meet the needs of the metabolic adjustment in the eye lenses, which would not be the reason for directly inducing diabetic cataract.

Micro-vitreous surgery combined with scleral encircling for the management of complex retinal detachment

50 cases (50 eyes) of various complex retinal detachments (RD) were treated with a combination of vitrectomy, membrane peeling, intraocular air tamponade and scleral encircling. RD with opaque media, RD with proliferative vitroretinopathy, traction RD due to trauma or other factors, RD with posterior breaks, and giant tears were included. During the follow-up periods of 3-12 months, 27 cases (54%) obtained anatomic reattachment, 23 failed (46%). Of the successful case, 24 eyes achieved improvement, 2 eyes remained unchanged, and one eye became worse in their vision. The surgery complications were: retinal haemorrhage, choroidal haemorrhage, iatrogenic tears, and the development of cataract.

[Electron spin resonance (ESR) study on hair of rats with diabetic cataract]

The hair taken from 40 rats with diabetic cataract and 20 normal controls was tested by using ESR. It was found that the 'g factor' of the hair of the rats with diabetic cataract is higher than that in normal controls. The intensity of ESR signals of the hair taken from rats with diabetic cataract is three times higher than that of ESR signals of the hair from the normal controls. The results have suggested a good reappearance and a remarkable increase in number of the free radicals and other particles of paramagnetic substances during the course of the development of the rats' diabetic cataract. The study provides new scientific data for the theory of free radicals damaging to the crystal in the process of the formation of diabetic cataract.