Patient acceptance of and satisfaction with an external negative pressure device for impotence

Patient acceptance of and satisfaction with an external negative pressure device as a treatment for impotence were retrospectively analyzed among 100 men. The over-all satisfaction rate was 68%. Reasons for dissatisfaction with and discontinuing the use of the device included premature loss of penile tumescence and rigidity, pain or discomfort either during application of suction or during intercourse and inconvenience. Negative pressure therapy is an effective treatment for impotence of various etiologies and should be among treatment options offered to the impotent patient.

[Angiographic study of osteosarcoma and fibrosarcoma of the jaw]

It has been well known that the sarcomas of jaw are very vascularized, but reports on the angiography of jaw sarcomas were very few. Based on the preoperative angiography of 3 cases of jaw bone sarcomas and arteriography of their specimens, it has been noticed that the supplying arteries of the mandible ramus sarcoma can be directly from the external carotid arteries; and the supplying arteries can be from inferior alveolar artery in sarcomas of the body of mandible. The tumors are more vascularized than the surrounding normal tissues, and the direction of the arteries can be from central to peripheral in the tumors, which are different from the long bone sarcomas. The vascularization and the retarded blood flow in the tumor are the significant anatomic bases for local perfusion chemotherapy of jaw sarcomas.

Experimental treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with transurethral balloon dilation of the prostate: preliminary study in 73 humans

A prospective noncontrolled study of the safety and potential efficacy of transurethral balloon catheter dilation of the prostate (TUDP) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was performed in 73 subjects with moderate to severe symptoms and signs of prostatism who were selected on the basis of a quantitative symptom score (SS), uroflowmetry measurements, and residual urine volume. Seven patients had urinary retention. Mean age was 69.6 years (range, 59-95 years). TUDP was successfully accomplished in 70 patients (96%). There were no significant complications. Mean follow-up was 16.2 months (range, 6-36 months). Forty-six patients (66%) showed improved SS at the most recent follow-up. In 24 patients (34%) SS was unimproved, necessitating prostatectomy in 17 subjects (24%). Reduction in mean residual urine volume was not statistically significant. Only 38% of patients with median lobe enlargement showed improvement in SS, compared with 74% for the others. The authors conclude that TUDP is safe and shows promising effectiveness and that the ultimate demonstration of effectiveness requires a controlled clinical trial.

The structure of the pseudorabies virus genome at the end of the inverted repeat sequences proximal to the junction with the short unique region

The complete nucleotide sequence is presented of the 2 x 67 kbp BamHI-EcoRV portion of the BamHI 10 fragment of the pseudorabies virus (PRV) genome (strain Ka) containing sequences upstream of the previously reported protein kinase gene, and completing the sequence of this 4008 bp fragment. It is predicted to contain a gene designated RSp40, homologous to gene US1 of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), with the potential to encode a protein of 364 amino acids. Analysis of PRV mRNA synthesized in the presence and absence of cycloheximide indicated that, in contrast to its HSV-1 homologue, the PRV gene RSp40 does not specify an immediate-early mRNA. Between the RSp40 gene and the protein kinase gene are two reiterated sequences: one containing 11 tandem copies of a 35 nucleotide sequence and the other containing nine tandem copies of a 10 nucleotide sequence. The BamHI 10 and the BamHI 12 fragments of PRV contain the junctions between the short unique (US) and short repeat (RS) regions of the PRV genome. The nucleotide sequence of that portion of the BamHI 12 fragment containing US sequences was determined so that, by comparison with the nucleotide sequence of the BamHI 10 fragment, the junction between the US and RS regions could be defined. In BamHI 10 this was found to be at a point between the two reiterated sequences (which are in the RS region) and the protein kinase gene (which is in the US region). The organization of this region of the PRV genome is compared to that of other alphaherpesviruses.

Kinetics of Aluminum Uptake in Triticum aestivum L: Identity of the Linear Phase of Aluminum Uptake by Excised Roots of Aluminum-Tolerant and Aluminum-Sensitive Cultivars

The identity of a linear phase of aluminum (Al) uptake in Triticum aestivum was investigated by analysis of the kinetics of Al uptake by excised roots and purified cell wall fractions. Classical interpretation of kinetic data suggests that a linear phase of uptake with time reflects uptake across the plasma membrane; however, in studies with Al the possibility that the linear phase of uptake includes accumulation of Al in both the symplasm and the apoplasm has not been discounted. In our experiments, we observed a linear phase of Al uptake at both ambient and low temperatures, although the rate of uptake at 0 degrees C was 53 to 72% less than at 23 degrees C, depending on cultivars. This nonsaturable phase of uptake at low temperature suggests that a portion of the linear phase of Al uptake is nonmetabolic. Furthermore, analysis of Al in cell wall fractions isolated from excised roots pretreated with Al suggests that the linear phase of uptake includes a cell wall component. When excised roots were pretreated with Al, accumulation of Al in purified cell wall material included a linear phase that could not be desorbed with a 30 minute wash in citrate. The rates of linear-phase accumulation of Al by cell wall material and cell contents were similar. In contrast, the linear phase of in vitro uptake of Al by purified cell wall material was completely desorbed by a 30 minute wash with citrate. These results suggest that the linear phase of Al uptake observed in excised roots of T. aestivum included metabolism-dependent binding of Al in apoplasm.

Bioconversion of Aflatoxin G1 to Aflatoxin B 3 by selected fungi

Aflatoxin G1 (AFG1) was transformed into aflatoxin B3 (AFB3) by the fungiRhodotorula sp,Sporobolomyces sp,Rhizopus oryzae NRRL395,Pythium ultimum, Aspergillus terreus, A clavatus and Penicillium frequentans grown in a medium containing AFG1, Difco potato dextrose broth, yeast extract, and peptone both in liquid shaken cultures and in solid static cultures at 25°C in the dark. A maximum rate of transformation of 10 % was obtained after 2 to 3 weeks of incubation. The transformation was correlated with an increase in the pH of the media from 5.7 -5.9 to 8.3 - 8.8.Saccharomyces cerevisiae also transformed AFG1 into AFB3, but at a slower rate; the pH of the media did not reach above 8.0 until 5 weeks after incubation. No transformation was observed whenA niger andP chrysogenum were tested; in both cases, no increase in pH was noticed. However, some transformation of AFG1 to AFB3 by both fungi was observed when the initial pH of the media was adjusted to 9.0. The rate of transformation increased to 15 - 20% in the static culture where the same medium was adsorbed onto vermiculite andRhizopus andAspergilli gave the highest increase in AFB3 yield.

[Determination of the contents of chlorogenic acid in qingre jiedu injection by three wavelength spectrophotometry]

The content of chlorogenic acid in Qingre Jiedu injection was determined by three wavelength spectrophotometry (315, 325 and 340.6nm), without any preliminary separation. The results showed the advantages of the method in simplicity, rapidity, accuracy, stability and better recovery (100.5%), and so on.

The protein kinase encoded in the short unique region of pseudorabies virus: description of the gene and identification of its product in virions and in infected cells

We have cloned and determined the nucleotide sequence of a gene, pk, that lies immediately upstream from the gene encoding glycoprotein X in the short unique region of the alphaherpesvirus, pseudorabies virus (PRV). The gene has the potential to encode a protein of 334 amino acids, and is related to gene US3 of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which has been shown to encode a protein kinase. The predicted amino acid sequence encoded by the PRV pk gene is homologous to the corresponding sequence encoded by the HSV-1 US3 gene in the C-terminal catalytic domain, but diverges markedly in the N-terminal domain. As with HSV-1, the mRNA for the pk gene appears to be 3' coterminal with that for the glycoprotein downstream. An antiserum was raised against a protein generated from the fusion of part of the PRV pk catalytic domain with Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase. This specifically reacted with a previously described physically homogeneous protein kinase, PRV-PK, isolated from hamster fibroblasts lytically infected with PRV. Although the majority of the PRV-PK is found in the cytoplasm, some was also detected in purified PRV virions by using the same antibody; a similar distribution was found for the HSV-1 protein kinase, using an antiserum raised against the corresponding HSV-1 fusion protein. When presented with heatinactivated virions, purified PRV-PK (in common with certain cellular protein kinases also present in the virion) was able to phosphorylate in vitro the major virion phosphoprotein phosphorylated in vivo.

Anticonvulsant effect of N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine against kainic acid-induced behavioral seizures in the rat prepiriform cortex

Kainic acid (KA), microinjected unilaterally into the rat prepiriform cortex (PC), produces generalized motor seizures in a dose-dependent manner. The adenosine agonist N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA), when co-injected with KA, protects against seizures in a dose-dependent and highly potent manner: ED50 = 25.6 +/- 2.1 pmol/rat. The seizure-suppressing effects of NECA are completely abolished by co-administration of the adenosine receptor antagonist 8-(p-sulfophenyl)theophylline (8-pSPT), suggesting that adenosine receptor activation underlies the efficacy of NECA against KA seizures. Moreover, dilazep, an effective blocker of adenosine uptake, when co-administered with KA, provides significant protection against seizures. Together, these findings suggest that adenosine receptors may play an important role in the regulation of the inhibitory neuronal circuitry of this paleocortical brain area.

[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.

[Pharmacological action of various processed Mylabris phalerata Pallas]

We have compared the acute toxicity, sub-acute toxicity and in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor action of the rude drug, stir-fried with rice, and alkali-processed drugs of Mylabris phalerata before and after removing the head, feet and wings. The results indicate that the toxicity of the processed drugs is lower than that of the rude ones; the toxicity becomes higher without head, feet, and wings; and the alkali-processing method is better than stir-frying with rice recorded in the pharmacopeia.

Gelatinolytic proteinase activities in human seminal plasma

Proteinase activities in human seminal plasma were detected using gelatin-containing sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis zymography. Three prominent bands of activity of Mr 60,000, 66,000 and 90,000 were observed as well as 9 other bands of less intensity (34,000-158,000). These proteinases were dependent upon calcium for optimal activity, did not hydrolyse casein, and were predominantly in the soluble portion of seminal plasma. Examination of seminal plasma of men with different sperm concentrations, split ejaculates, and prostatic secretions indicated that the prostate gland was a source of most of these activities. Proteinase activities of Mr 34,000, 37,000, 82,000 and 120,000 were expressed more frequently in seminal plasma from normozoospermic men than from seminal plasma of oligo- or azoospermic men, indicating that they may also arise from spermatozoa in the semen sample. The proteinases of Mr 60,000 and 66,000 were found in all seminal plasmas whereas there was variation in the expression of the other molecular forms of enzyme, even in the normozoospermic samples. There are multiple forms of gelatinolytic proteinase activities in human seminal plasma which appear to arise from multiple sources in the reproductive tract including the Cowper's/urethral glands, the prostate gland, seminal vesicle and/or spermatozoa. Their function(s) in semen remains to be established.

[A preliminary report on the investigation of medicinal plant resources in the Liupan Mountains of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region]

In this paper, 423 species of medicinal plants belonging to 94 families in Liupan Mountains of Ningzia Hui Autonomous Region have been reported, of which 403 species belonging to 79 families are medicinal spermatophytes. The paper may serve as a reference for medical authorities in developing and utilizing plant resources.

[A study on the relationship between human papilloma virus (HPV) and cervical cancer]

Samples of cervical tissues of patients from Shandong province were detected by using Southern blot hybridization technique of nucleic acid with the probe of (alpha-32P)-dCTP HPV16 DNA fragment cleaving with BamHI. The total positive rate of HPV16 DNA related sequences in 116 cases with cervical cancer was 50.9%, and much higher than that in 36 cases with non-cervical disease (5.6%). There is a strong correlation between the HPV and cervical cancer (OR = 17.60, P less than 0.001). It was showed that there was no association between the positive rate of HPV 16 DNA related sequences and age, clinical period and local appearance in cases with cervical cancer. This was the first paper described that HPV 33 DNA sequences were found in four cervical carcinoma samples, and HPV 31 DNA sequence in one cervical carcinoma sample under low stringent conditions of hybridization in Shandong province.

Two types of rhythmical jaw movements evoked by stimulation of the rat cortex

Two different patterns of rhythmical jaw movements (RJM) resembling masticatory movements were evoked by stimulation of the cerebral cortex in the rat. The first type of RJM was evoked from the primary jaw motor area, and it always began with a sustained jaw-opening and consisted of high frequency (5-7 Hz) simple opening-closing movements of the jaw. The anterior digastric electromyographic (EMG) activity showed discharges apparently time-locked to each stimulus pulse. The second type of RJM was evoked from the ventral part of the insular cortex. In contrast to the first type of RJM, the second type started with a jaw closing movement in many cases. This type of RJM had large and complex lateral and sagittal movements and the frequency of RJM was low (3-4 Hz). The digastric EMG activity did not show the stimulus-locked component. The pattern of these RJM did not depend on the intensity or frequency of stimulation, but on the site stimulated. These two cortical RJM areas appeared to work independently from each other, because ablation of one area did not affect the pattern of the RJM evoked from the other cortical area.

[A preliminary report on the phytophthora root rot of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer]

It has been found that Phytophthora cactorum mainly infects ginseng roots and causes phytophthora roots rot without symptoms on the leaves. The results of fungistatic test indicate that mycelial growth of the pathogen can be inhibited completely by Mancozeb and Metalaxyl at 100 ppm in vitro.

The role of ilioinguinal lymphadenectomy and significance of histological differentiation in treatment of carcinoma of the penis

We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of 58 patients treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the penis who were followed for more than 3 years or until they died. Tissue sections from all patients were reviewed. Of 15 patients with stage I disease 11 underwent partial penectomy, and 4 underwent partial penectomy and immediate ilioinguinal lymphadenectomy; none died of cancer. Nine patients with stage II and 9 with stage III disease underwent partial or total penectomy and immediate ilioinguinal lymphadenectomy, and 5-year survival was 100 and 75%, respectively. Of 20 patients with clinical stage II disease who did not undergo immediate ilioinguinal lymphadenectomy 18 had metastasis to the groin. Of these 18 patients 12 underwent delayed ilioinguinal lymphadenectomy but only 1 survived more than 5 years. We evaluated the possible significance of the degree of histological differentiation of the primary tumor to the course of the disease. Of the 23 cases of carcinoma in situ or well differentiated disease only 1 became metastatic, while of the 35 cases of moderately to poorly differentiated disease 31 metastasized to the groin. Vascular invasion of cancer cells in the primary tumor was another indicator for poor prognosis.

Adenosine A1 receptor activation mediates suppression of (-) bicuculline methiodide-induced seizures in rat prepiriform cortex

The protective effects of a series of stable adenosine analogs against generalized seizures initiated by focal injection of bicuculline methiodide into the rat prepiriform cortex (PPC) were studied by microinjection of these compounds into this brain area. The adenosine agonists, 5'-N-(ethyl)carboxamido-adenosine (NECA), cyclohexyladenosine, cyclopentyadenosine, 2-chloroadenosine and R- and S-phenylisopropyladenosine (R- and S-PIA), protected animals against seizures in a dose-dependent, and extremely potent manner. NECA, the most potent compound evaluated, completely prevented seizures at doses greater than or equal to 6.8 pmol. In contrast, heroic doses of the A2 selective ligand, 2-phenylaminoadenosine, afforded no protection against seizures. The rank order of potency of these compounds in suppressing seizures is as follows: NECA greater than cyclohexyladenosine greater than cyclopentyladenosine greater than or equal to R-PIA greater than 2-chloroadenosine greater than S-PIA much greater than 2-phenylaminoadenosine. These data suggest that the antiseizure activity of these compounds in the PPC results from activation of A1 adenosine receptors. Quantitative autoradiographic analysis of the distribution of tritiated adenosine agonists 30 min after microinjection in the PPC reveals that [3H]NECA diffuses to a significantly greater extent than R-[3H]PIA, which may contribute to the relatively greater potency of the former compound in suppressing bicuculline methiodide-induced seizures. These results suggest that adenosine A1 receptors may participate in the normal inhibitory regulation of the PPC, a forebrain area which may play a significant role in the pathobiology of epilepsy.

Kinetics of Aluminum Uptake by Excised Roots of Aluminum-Tolerant and Aluminum-Sensitive Cultivars of Triticum aestivum L

Uptake of aluminum (Al) by excised roots of two Al-tolerant cultivars and two Al-sensitive cultivars of Triticum aestivum L. (wheat) was biphasic, with a rapid phase of uptake in the first 30 minutes followed by a linear phase of uptake up to 180 minutes. At the end of the uptake period, higher concentrations of Al were found in roots of the Al-sensitive cultivars (Neepawa and Scout-66) than in the Al-tolerant cultivars (Atlas-66 and PT-741), but differences were small. Experiments testing the effectiveness of several desorption agents demonstrated that citric acid was most effective in desorption of loosely bound Al (the putative apoplasmic compartment) followed by others in the order tartaric acid > EDTA > CaSO(4) = ScCl(3). In all cultivars, 30 minutes of desorption with citric acid depleted the rapidly exchanging, putative apoplasmic compartment, although some tightly bound Al remained in that compartment. The relationship between Al remaining after desorption and time in the uptake medium was nearly linear and no distinction was observed between Al-tolerant and Al-sensitive cultivars. However, uptake of Al by the Al-tolerant cultivars was increased by treatment with the protonophore 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), while uptake of Al by Al-sensitive cultivars was relatively unaffected. Such results suggest the possible involvement of an active exclusion mechanism in Al-tolerant cultivars of T. aestivum.

Application of ion-pair high performance liquid chromatography for analysis of hyoscyamine and scopolamine in solanaceous crude drugs

A new ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the analysis of hyoscyamine and scopolamine in various kinds of crude drugs derived from solanaceous plants was evaluated using sodium dodecyl sulfate as a counter ion. A reversed-phase chromatographic system consisting of a chemically bonded ODS silica gel column with phosphate buffer (pH 2.5)-acetonitrile (65:35) containing 17.5 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate as the mobile phase was used. Hyoscyamine and scopolamine in crude drugs derived from Scopolia, Atropa, Hyoscyamus and Datura species were separated from other compounds in the crude drugs and determined within 20 min after direct injection of the solution extracted with the mobile phase. The results for various kinds of samples are presented.

Sarcomas of the retroperitoneum and genitourinary tract

A total of 62 patients with retroperitoneal or genitourinary sarcoma was treated at our institutions during the last 46 years. Of the patients 51 were followed for at least 5 years or until they died (median followup 11 years); 5 patients were lost to followup. The most common site was the retroperitoneum. Liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma were the most common tumors (74 per cent). Tumors were completely resected in 42 patients (68 per cent) and incompletely resected in 11, while a biopsy only was performed in 9. Some patients also received adjuvant radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. There were no long-term survivors among patients with unresectable tumors. Over-all 3 and 5-year survival rates were 68 and 39 per cent, respectively. The histological type of the tumor appeared to have prognostic significance. The highest 5-year survivals were for liposarcoma (70 per cent), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (33 per cent) and leiomyosarcoma (13 per cent). The mean survival for patients after adjuvant radiation therapy or chemotherapy was similar to that after a radical operation alone. The primary cause of treatment failure was local recurrence (45 per cent of the patients), which was detected within 3 years of complete resection in most cases (82 per cent). Complete extirpation that provided adequate margins free of tumor was the most effective initial treatment and provided the best chance for cure.