Changes in invertase activities and reducing sugar content in sweetpotato stored at different temperatures

Cured sweetpotato roots were stored at different temperatures (4.5, 15.6, and 24 degrees C) for 7 weeks and assayed for invertase activities and reducing sugar levels during two separate years. Invertase activities and reducing sugar concentration significantly increased in the roots kept at low temperature. Of the three types of invertases assayed, acid invertase specific activity was the highest. Acid invertase was the most influential in determining reducing sugar levels in stored sweetpotato. Cultivar differences were found in invertase specific activities and reducing sugar concentration. Reducing sugar content was highly correlated to acid and total invertase activity, regardless of cultivar.

Recombination of hepatitis D virus RNA sequences and its implications

Recombination between RNA sequences plays a role in the fast evolution of a few viruses. There has been no report on hepatitis D virus (HDV) recombination. In this study, we analyzed genetic recombination of HDV and its possible impact on evolution and clinical course. The aligned HDV sequences allowed us to construct a phylogenetic tree which supported the notion of distinct lineages of HDV. The tree was also used in the analysis of recombination using partial likelihoods assessed through optimization. Nine segments of the HDV genome with significant levels of genetic recombination were detected. Five segments were in the hypervariable region, and four were in the delta-antigen- coding region. None could be found in the well-conserved autocleavage region that is essential for replication. Recombination occurred both between and within types. The results of this study indicated that the remarkable variation in HDV genomic sequences, particularly in the hypervariable region, among different genotypes may at least partly result from multiple episodes of genetic recombination during evolution. Genetic recombination may play a significant role in increasing genetic diversity. Importantly, a genetic recombination (nt 1082-1093) occurred in one of the immunogenic domains of hepatitis delta virus antigen recognized by human and woodchuck antibodies (amino acids 174-195). Genetic recombination also occurred at another segment between nt 1517 and 1535, which was close to one of the predicted T-cell epitopes (amino acids 26-41). In longitudinal analysis of HDV genomes at different time points during chronic infection, novel dominant HDV strains with amino acid changes at these epitopes usually emerged after severe hepatitis attacks. In the comparison of HDV clones during or shortly after flare-up of liver disease, Ka/Ks ratios of > 1 were frequently found, suggesting Darwinian positive selection. Therefore, recombination in these two segments may play an important role for HDV in the evasion of immunity.

Seminal vesicle autoantigen, a novel phospholipid-binding protein secreted from luminal epithelium of mouse seminal vesicle, exhibits the ability to suppress mouse sperm motility

Seminal vesicle autoantigen (SVA) is a 19 kDa glycoprotein purified from mouse seminal vesicle secretion. It was quantified to be 0.9% (w/v) in the seminal vesicle fluid. We examined its distribution in the accessory sexual gland, characterized its binding sites on the sperm surface and assessed its effect on sperm motility. It was immunolocalized on the epithelium of the primary and secondary folds in the tissue. Mouse spermatozoa collected from caudal epididymis were devoid of SVA. A cytochemical study illustrated the presence of SVA-binding region on the entire cells. The cytochemical staining intensity for the binding of SVA to spermatozoa remained even when the cells were pretreated with protease digestion, acid or heat at 100 degrees C for 10 min. Moreover, the SVA-sperm binding could be inhibited by the dispersed sperm lipid. The specificity of interaction between (125)I-SVA and phospholipids was studied by TLC overlay techniques. The radiolabelled protein showed strong binding to purified phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine and weak binding to purified sphingomyelin, lysophosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, but did not interact with phosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidic acid or phosphatidylinositol. Among the lipids extracted from spermatozoa, SVA showed strong binding to phosphatidylcholine and weak binding to sphingomyelin and neutral lipids. The assay for SVA-sperm binding with (125)I-SVA determined the IC(50) as being (3.89+/-0.65)x10(-5) M(-1), which is compatible with an apparent dissociation constant of (9.10+/-0.02)x10(-5) M(-1) estimated by fitting the data of phosphatidylcholine-perturbed SVA fluorescence to a modified Scatchard plot. SVA showed an ability to suppress sperm motility. The average path velocity, straight-line velocity and curvilinear velocity of sperm were not detectable by computer-assisted sperm assay after incubation of the cells in the presence of 0.3% SVA at 37 degrees C for more than 40 min.

A nerve growth factor from the venom of Chinese cobra (Naja naja atra) and its effects on male reproductive system in rats

A nerve growth factor (NGF) was isolated from the venom of Chinese cobra (Naja naja atra) by ion exchange chromatography, gel filtration and fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC). The N-terminal sequence of 22 amino acid residues was identical with other NGFs previously purified from the venom of the same genus. The NGF monomer molecular weight was estimated to be 13,500 by reducing SDS-PAGE and the isoelectric point was determined to be 7.2 by isoelectric focusing electrophoresis. NGF improved the epididymal sperm motility of male rats and increased the pregnancy rate and fetus number of mated female rats. The serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) of male rats administrated NGF + gossypol was lower than that of male rats administrated gossypol. Histological sections of testes and epididymides showed that NGF reduced the destructive effects of gossypol on rat testes.

Development, Evaluation, and Application of a Primary Aerosol Model

The Segmented-Plume Primary Aerosol Model (SPPAM) has been developed over the past several years. The earlier model development goals were simply to generalize the widely used Industrial Source Complex Short-Term (ISCST) model to simulate plume transport and dispersion under light wind conditions and to handle a large number of roadway or line sources. The goals have been expanded to include development of improved algorithm for effective plume transport velocity, more accurate and efficient line and area source dispersion algorithms, and recently, a more realistic and computationally efficient algorithm for plume depletion due to particle dry deposition. A performance evaluation of the SPPAM has been carried out using the 1983 PNL dual tracer experimental data. The results show the model predictions to be in good agreement with observations in both plume advection-dispersion and particulate matter (PM) depletion by dry deposition. For PM_2.5 impact analysis, the SPPAM has been applied to the Rubidoux area of California. Emission sources included in the modeling analysis are: paved road dust, diesel vehicular exhaust, gasoline vehicular exhaust, and tire wear particles from a large number of roadways in Rubidoux and surrounding areas. For the selected modeling periods, the predicted primary PM_2.5 to primary PM10 concentration ratios for the Rubidoux sampling station are in the range of 0.39-0.46. The organic fractions of the primary PM_2.5 impacts are estimated to be at least 34-41%. Detailed modeling results indicate that the relatively high organic fractions are primarily due to the proximity of heavily traveled roadways north of the sampling station. The predictions are influenced by a number of factors; principal among them are the receptor locations relative to major roadways, the volume and composition of traffic on these roadways, and the prevailing meteorological conditions.

Effects of repeated high-dose methamphetamine on local cerebral glucose utilization in rats

Repeated administration of high doses of methamphetamine (MAP) to rats can induce long-lasting neurotoxicity which may be related to permanent psychotic symptoms and negative symptoms in some MAP psychotic patients. In this study, we used the 2-[14C]deoxyglucose (2DG) method to analyze the effects of repeated MAP administration (12.5 mg/kg, i.p., 4 times every 2 hr within a day) 14 days and 60 days after drug administration. The results showed a widespread (26 of the 43 regions examined) decreases in the regional cerebral glucose utilization. The regions with decrease metabolism included all the extrapyramidal systems, the hippocampus formation and dorsal raphe nucleus. Rats tested 60 days after drug administration has similar finding to those with a 14-day abstinent period. The results of the functional change in this study provide support for the neurotoxic effects of repeated high dose MAP administration in rats. Furthermore, the neurotoxic effects are selective and long-lasting. We suggested the MAP neurotoxic model can be used to study the permanent psychosis and negative symptoms of MAP-induced psychosis in humans.

Chronic hepatitis B exacerbated by Guillain-Barré syndrome: a report of two cases

Several neurologic complications involving both the central and peripheral nervous systems due to acute viral hepatitis have been described, but Guillain-Barré (G-B) syndrome occurring as a complication of chronic viral hepatitis is extremely rare. Although it is generally agreed that G-B syndrome develops as an immune-mediated reaction, its exact pathogenesis remains obscure. We report the cases of two patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection acutely exacerbated by the development of G-B syndrome. G-B syndrome was diagnosed by nerve conduction velocity studies, electromyographic studies and a rise in acellular total protein in the cerebrospinal fluid (albumino-cytologic dissociation). In these two patients, we were able to accurately define the relationship between the onset of acute exacerbation of chronic HBV infection and G-B syndrome. The neurologic symptoms of G-B syndrome resolved with the return of liver enzymes to normal. Interferon therapy may be beneficial in relieving neurologic symptoms in patients with HB infection-related G-B syndrome.

Anti-inflammatory properties of triblock siloxane copolymer-blended materials

Implantable biomaterials often trigger a variety of adverse responses. Because polydimethyl siloxane surfaces have good hemo- and bio-compatibility, it is generally believed that surface biocompatibility may be improved by modifying biomaterial surfaces with silicone-like properties. For this, we developed a series of polycaprolactone-polydimethylsiloxane-polycaprolactone (PDMS-PCL) copolymers. By mixing the substrate material--polyvinyl chloride--with low concentrations (1.2 and 2.4%) of the PDMS-PCL copolymer, we generated materials with silicone-like surface properties as reflected by increased surface silicon content and surface contact angles. We assessed the biocompatibility of these surfaces in vitro and found that the addition of PDMS-PCL significantly reduced the percentages of surface-'denatured' fibrinogen, a critical element of genesis of many adverse responses to implanted biomaterials. Indeed, using an animal implantation model, we find that PDMS-PCL-blended materials triggered significantly weaker inflammatory responses than did polyvinyl chloride, the substrate control. The results from these experiments suggest that the use of PDMS-PCL additives (2.4%) in polymer blends is a useful means of camouflaging the substrate surface properties and improving the biocompatibility of biomaterials.

Development of human and rabbit vaginal smooth muscle cell cultures: effects of vasoactive agents on intracellular levels of cyclic nucleotides

In this study, we subcultured and characterized human and rabbit vaginal smooth muscle cells and investigated the synthesis of second messenger cyclic nucleotides in response to vasodilators and determined the activity and kinetics of phosphodiesterase (PDE) type 5 (EC 3.1.4.35 3',5'-cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase). Cultured vaginal cells exhibited growth characteristics typical of smooth muscle cells and immunostained with antibodies against alpha smooth muscle actin. The cells retained functional prostaglandin E and beta-adrenergic receptors as demonstrated by increased intracellular cAMP synthesis in response to PGE1, or isoproterenol. The response to these vasoactive substances was augmented with forskolin, suggesting stabilization of G-protein-activated adenylyl cyclases. Treatment with the nitric oxide donor, sodium nitroprusside, in the presence of sildenafil, a PDE type 5 inhibitor, enhanced intracellular cGMP synthesis and accumulation. Incubation of rabbit vaginal tissue with sildenafil, sodium nitroprusside, and PGE1 or forskolin produced a marked increase in intracellular cGMP. These observations were similar to findings with cultured cells and suggest that subcultured cells retain functional characteristics exhibited in intact tissue. The cells retained phosphodiesterase type 5 expression as shown by specific cGMP hydrolytic activity. Sildenafil and zaprinast inhibited cGMP hydrolysis competitively and bound with high affinity (Ki = 7 and 250 nM, respectively). These observations suggest that cultured human and rabbit vaginal smooth muscle cells retained their metabolic functional integrity and this experimental system should prove useful in investigating the pathway of nitric oxide and PDE type 5 inhibitors in modulating vaginal smooth muscle tone.

A continuous method for enzymatic assay of sucrose synthase in the synthetic direction

An appropriate method was developed for the continuous assay of sucrose synthase (SS) (EC 2.4.1.13) by spectrophotometry. The uridine 5'-diphosphate derived from sucrose synthesis was stoichiometrically coupled to oxidation of beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide by the enzymes nucleoside-5'-diphosphate kinase (NDPK), pyruvate kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase. Utilization of crude extracts led to a complete masking of SS assay by adenylate kinase, adenosine 5'-triphosphatase (ATPase), and phosphoenolpyruvate phosphatase found in the crude extracts. These interfering enzymes were mostly removed from the crude extracts by using a combination of gel filtration, centrifugation through a selectively permeable membrane (Biomax-100 Ultrafree centrifugal device), and inhibition by the addition of K(2)HPO(4) to the assay buffer. Sensitivity of the SS assay was significantly increased by the inclusion of NDPK and ATP, which are essential to the reaction in the coupling system.

Task analysis for industrial work process from aspects of human reliability and system safety

In the design, development, and manufacturing stage of industrial products, engineers usually focus on the problems caused by hardware or software, but pay less attention to problems caused by "human error," which may significantly affect system reliability and safety. Although operating procedures are strictly followed, human error still may occur occasionally. Among the influencing factors, the inappropriate design of standard operation procedure (SOP) or standard assembly procedure (SAP) is an important and latent reason for unexpected results found during human operation. To reduce the error probability and error effects of these unexpected behaviors in the industrial work process, overall evaluation of SOP or SAP quality has become an essential task. The human error criticality analysis (HECA) method was developed to identify the potentially critical problems caused by human error in the human operation system. This method performs task analysis on the basis of operation procedure. For example, SOP, analyzes the human error probability (HEP) for each human operation step, and assesses its error effects to the whole system. The results of the analysis will show the interrelationship that exists between critical human tasks, critical human error modes, and human reliability information of the human operation system. To identify the robustness of the model, a case study of initiator assembly tasks was conducted. Results show that the HECA method is practicable in evaluating the operation procedure, and the information is valuable in identifying the means to upgrade human reliability and system safety for human tasks.

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) induces proinflammatory cytokines by a platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor-dependent mechanism

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) consists of both lipid components and apoprotein B100. OxLDL has both proinflammatory and cytotoxic properties. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of components in the lipid moiety of oxLDL on immune activation as determined by cytokine and immunoglobulin secretion. LPC induced interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) secretion in peripheral blood mononuclear leucocytes from healthy blood donors. The effect varied between individuals, and there were both responders and non-responders. Furthermore, LPC induced enhanced antibody production, indicating B cell activation. None of eight oxysterols, arachidonic acid (AA), or 15-lipoxygenase products of AA tested had immune stimulatory properties. We recently demonstrated that PAF and oxLDL induce IFN-gamma secretion by a common mechanism. LPC-induced IFN-gamma secretion was inhibited by a specific PAF receptor antagonist, WEB 2170, indicating that the PAF receptor is involved in LPC-induced immune activation. Both oxLDL- and LPC-induced antibody formation was inhibited by WEB 2170. Furthermore LPC also induced tumour necrosis factor-alpha secretion, and this effect was inhibited by WEB 2170. LPC is produced during lipid oxidation (as in oxLDL), but also by enzymes such as phospholipase A2. The findings indicate that LPC may play an important role in inflammatory reactions, including atherosclerosis.

The effect of acute administration of risperidone on local cerebral glucose utilization in the rat

Risperidone (R 64 766, 3-[2-[4-(6-fluoro-1,2-benzisoxazol-3-yl)-1-pyperidinyl]ethyl )-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-2-methyl-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-one) has superior effects in treating negative symptoms of schizophrenia and causes less extrapyramidal side effects than traditional antipsychotics. In this study, we employed the [14C]2-deoxy-D-glucose method to map local cerebral metabolic activity of rats acutely administrated i.p. with 0.0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg kg(-1) risperidone. Risperidone in the highest dose produced a reduction of glucose utilization in 11 of the 38 regions examined. The results showed that the regions with metabolic change are somewhat different from those results studied with microdialysis and the Fos immunohistochemistry. Among the nuclei with metabolic changes, the hippocampus and the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus may be related to the therapeutic action of risperidone and require further study.

Supportive treatment, resection and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in resectable hepatocellular carcinoma: an analysis of survival in 419 patients

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

Both surgical resection and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) are effective treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Few reports have compared the different treatment modalities for resectable HCC based on clinically matched groups. The aim of this study was to compare the survival rate after surgery, TACE or supportive treatment in resectable HCC patients, and also in elderly patients (> or = 70 y/o).

METHODS

From 1984 to 1993, 419 consecutive patients with resectable HCC were included in this study. Of these, 311 (74%) underwent resection of tumours and 46 (11%) refused operation, opting instead for TACE. The remaining 62 (15%) who refused both methods of treatment were given supportive care. Univariate and multivariate analyses for prognostic factors and the 5-year survival rate among the groups were studied.

RESULTS

Both surgical resection and TACE groups had a better 5-year survival rate than the supportive treatment group (43% and 34% vs. 7%). There was no difference in survival between the surgery and TACE groups. However, the 5-year survival rate was 11% in TACE and 41% in the surgical group when the patients were > or = 70. In multivariate analysis, female sex (P = 0.0466), tumour size < or = 3 cm (P = 0.0001), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) < 400 U/l (P = 0.0036), single tumour (P = 0.0474), serum creatinine < or = 1.5 mg/dl (P = 0.0006) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) < or = 100 U/l (P = 0.0007) are associated with good prognosis for resectable HCC.

CONCLUSION

TACE is an alternative for resectable HCC. Tumour size, tumour number, AFP level, renal function, AP level and female sex are prognostic factors. In elderly people, TACE must be used prudently and has a worse prognosis.

Mixed genotypes infection with hepatitis D virus

Heterogeneity of hepatitis C viral (HCV) genomes results in escape from immune clearance. Super-infection or mixed infection of different genotypes of HCV are seen commonly in humans. Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is classified into 3 genotypes. This study was planned to investigate if mixed genotypes infection of HDV occurs in humans. HDV genotyping based on restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used to screen 60-99 HDV clones from each case of 7 prostitutes and 11 patients. Mixed infections were diagnosed by the finding of two or more different RFLP patterns in a case and were confirmed by sequencing. Five prostitutes had mixed infections of genotypes IIa and IIb HDV, while only 2 patients had mixed infections of genotypes I and II HDV (P< 0.05). The heterogeneity in nucleotide sequence was generally below 2% among HDV quasi-species from the same subject, while the heterogeneity was 27.7% between genotypes I and II HDV, and 22.8% between genotypes IIa and IIb HDV from a subject with mixed infection. Multiple HDV clones from the spouses of the 2 index cases were also analyzed. One spouse had mixed infection and the other did not, corresponding to the index cases. In cases with mixed genotypes infections, the prevalence of the minor strain was less than 10% of the total colony population analyzed.

Phylogenetic analysis to document a common source of hepatitis D virus infection in a mother and her child

BACKGROUND

Spread of hepatitis D virus (HDV) from mother to infant is rare and nucleotide evidence to document such transmission is lacking. The aim of this study was to screen the children of HDV-infected parents and compare the HDV nucleotide sequence between children and parents by phylogenetic analysis.

METHODS

Fifty-seven children of 28 HDV-infected parents (23 fathers and 5 mothers, including two couples) were enrolled. HDV genomes from sera of HDV-infected parents and their children were cloned and sequenced. Comparison and phylogenetic analysis of HDV genomes were based on a region from nucleotide 911 to 1260. The homology to nucleotide sequence among different genotypes was estimated by phylogenetic analysis.

RESULTS

One of the eight children whose mothers were anti-HDV positive was positive for anti-HDV. Mean heterogeneity among different HDV clones from a single subject ranged from 0.29% to 1.15%. HDV sequences from the mother and her child (referred from southern Taiwan) were nearly identical (99.7%), both showed 92.2-93.4% homology with other genotype II isolates from north Taiwan and 76.3-77.1% homology with genotype I isolates.

CONCLUSIONS

Genotype II HDV is most prevalent in Taiwan. There are significant variations up to 8% in nucleotide sequence among different genotype II HDV clones isolated from patients in northern and southern Taiwan. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that HDV clones from the mother and her child form a monophyletic group, supporting a common source of infection. Susceptible children of HDV-infected mothers should be protected by hepatitis B virus vaccination and active education.

Phentolamine mesylate relaxes penile corpus cavernosum tissue by adrenergic and non-adrenergic mechanisms

AIM OF THE STUDY

We investigated the biochemical and physiological mechanisms of action of phentolamine mesylate (Vasomax) in regulating erectile tissue smooth muscle contractility in human and rabbit corpus cavernosum.

METHODS

The binding activity of phentolamine was investigated in a cell-free system by displacement of specific and selective radiolabelled ligands to alpha 1 and 2 adrenergic receptors. The physiologic activity of phentolamine-mediated relaxation of adrenergic and non-adrenergic pre-contracted erectile tissue strips of human and rabbit corpus cavernosum were studied in organ bath chambers.

RESULTS

In corpus cavernosum membranes, phentolamine displaced binding of the selective alpha 1 receptor antagonists [125I]HEAT and [3H]prazosin and the alpha 2 receptor antagonists [3H]rauwolscine and [3H]RX 821002 with relatively high affinity. Phentolamine caused concentration dependent relaxation in erectile tissue strips pre-contracted with adrenergic agonists phenylephrine, norepinephrine, oxymetazoline and UK 14,304, as well as with non-adrenergic contractile agents endothelin and KCl. Biochemical and physiologic studies reveal that the concentration of phentolamine required to displace half maximal binding or to produce half-maximal relaxation was similar to that found in human plasma 30 min after ingestion of 40 mg of Vasomax. Reversible inhibition of nitric oxide synthase by L-nitroarginine or mechanical disruption of endothelium diminished non-adrenergic phentolamine-mediated erectile tissue relaxation.

CONCLUSIONS

Phentolamine mesylate induced relaxation of corpus cavernosum erectile tissue by direct antagonism of alpha 1 and 2 adrenergic receptors and by indirect functional antagonism via a non-adrenergic, endothelium-mediated mechanism suggesting nitric oxide synthase activation.

Functional pancreatic islet cell tumors with liver metastasis: the role of cytoreductive surgery and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization: a report of five cases

Malignant pancreatic islet tumors are slow-growing tumors. Their relatively benign behavior makes aggressive treatment worthwhile. From January, 1987, to January, 1998, five cases of malignant pancreatic islet tumors with liver metastasis were diagnosed at the Veterans General Hospital-Taipei. Of these, three were gastrinomas and the others were vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIPoma, 1 case) and insulinoma (1 case). Four patients (3 with gastrinomas and 1 with insulinoma) had undergone cytoreductive surgery when the diagnosis of metastasis was made. All five patients underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). All patients had improved symptoms after cytoreductive surgery and TACE. The survival of patients who underwent combined surgery and TACE was 38 and 17 months in the two gastrinoma cases, more than eight months in one gastrinoma case and more than 20 months in the insulinoma case (these 2 patients are still alive). One VIPoma patient who underwent TACE survived for 12 months. In conclusion, treatment for metastatic pancreatic islet cell tumors require a multidisciplinary approach. Metastasis of the tumor is not a contraindication for aggressive therapy. Combined cytoreductive surgery and TACE can relieve symptoms and are of benefit for patients with pancreatic islet cell tumors with liver metastases.

Evidence of transmission of hepatitis B virus to spouses from sequence analysis of the viral genome

Heterosexual contact is one of the common routes of transmission for hepatitis B virus (HBV) among adults in Taiwan, but only a few studies have provided direct evidence at the level of the HBV genome of infected couples with acute non-fulminant hepatitis to document a common source. By cloning and sequencing polymerase chain reaction-amplified HBV-DNA, we analysed the sequences of the conserved region of the surface gene (nucleotide (n.t.) 305-513, representing 6.5% of the viral genome) of HBV in five HBV-infected index patients, their spouses and four randomly selected HBV carriers as controls. Risk factors associated with acute HBV infection in index cases were sexual contact with their spouses within 3 months before the onset of hepatitis. For all five couples, the HBV-infected index patient and the spouse shared a 100% sequence homology of HBV-DNA. In contrast, there was significantly more variation (mean heterogeneity 6.1%, range 1-13.9%) in the amplified region between the five couples and between each couple and the controls (P<0.001). This study demonstrated that sequence analyses can correlate well with epidemiological findings and confirm the value of the molecular approach for linked infections of HBV through heterosexual contact between spouses. Susceptible adults should receive vaccination.

Plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha, its soluble receptors and interleukin-1beta levels in critically burned patients

Levels of plasma TNF-alpha, interleukin-1beta(IL-1beta ), soluble TNF-receptor I (sTNF-R I) and soluble TNF-receptor II (sTNF-R II) were determined in 16 critically burned patients. Seven of the 16 patients showed hypovolemic shock (shock group), 9 with sepsis (sepsis group), 8 with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS group) and 6 of them died (non-survival group). Plasma TNF-alpha, sTNF-R I and R II were significantly higher in the shock group, the MODS group and the non-survival group than each of the control groups. TNF-alpha and sTNF-Rs increased gradually in the MODS group and the non-survival group from 1 to 5 days postburn. TNF-alpha, sTNF-R I and R II correlated positively with Goris' multiple organ failure score. Molecular sTNF-Rs/TNF-alpha ratios were lower in the sepsis group than in the non-sepsis group. These results suggest that circulating TNF and soluble TNF receptors system play an important role in the development of burn shock and MODS; high molecular ratios of endogenous sTNF-Rs might not reduce the morbidity of MODS and the mortality in critically burned patients.

Prevalence, implication, and viral nucleotide sequence analysis of GB virus-C/hepatitis G virus infection in acute fulminant and nonfulminant hepatitis

The clinical impact of GB virus-C (GBV-C)/hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection on various causes of acute hepatitis and fulminant hepatitis is controversial. In this study, serum samples from 164 patients with acute hepatitis of various causes, 34 asymptomatic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers, and 34 healthy adults were tested for GBV-C/HGV RNA by reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction using primers based on the 5'-untranslated region. Nucleotide sequences of GBV-C/HGV RNA from various groups were compared. The prevalence of GBV-C/HGV RNA was significantly higher in patients with acute hepatitis D virus (HDV) superinfection than in HBV carriers or healthy controls (10/37 vs. 2/34, P < 0.02; 10/37 vs. 1/34, P < 0.005). GBV-C/HGV RNA was detected in 11.1% of acute hepatitis A patients, 9.5% of acute hepatitis B patients, 15.8% of acute hepatitis C patients, 12.5% of acute hepatitis E patients, 11.8% of chronic hepatitis B patients with acute exacerbation, and 11.1% in patients with non-A to -E hepatitis; each was not significantly higher than that in HBV carriers or healthy adults. There were no significant differences in gender, age, serum albumin, bilirubin, and alanine aminotransferase levels nor in the occurrence of fulminant hepatitis (6/28 vs. 36/136) between patients with or without GBV-C/HGV RNA. All six patients with fulminant hepatitis who had GBV-C/HGV RNA were complicated by infection with hepatitis B, C, or D. The GBV-C/HGV clones from 21 patients with or without fulminant hepatitis belonged to group 3. No particular strain of GBV-C/HGV was associated with fulminant hepatitis.

Reaction of Selected Soybean Genotypes to Isolates of Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines and Their Culture Filtrates

Four soybean plant introductions, PI 520.733, PI 567.374, PI 567.650B, and PI 567.659, and one soybean cultivar, Great Lakes 3202, were inoculated under greenhouse conditions with four isolates of Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines. Foliar disease severity rating was greatest on PI 567.659, followed by Great Lakes 3202, PI 520.733, PI 567.650B, and PI 567.374. There was no significant interaction between isolates and soybean entries for foliar disease severity ratings. Experiments also were conducted to determine if disease development and root colonization differed among entries. Root infection of the five entries did not differ (P = 0.05). Foliar disease progress curves increased faster for PI 567.659 and Great Lakes 3202 than for PI 567.374. The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) value for PI 567.374 was the lowest and differed (P = 0.01) from AUDPC values for Great Lakes 3202 and PI 567.659. There were no differences (P = 0.01) in length of taproot lesions, losses in root dry weight, and vascular stem length discoloration among the entries, and there was no correlation (P = 0.05) between these measurements and foliar AUDPC values. Cut seedling stems immersed in culture filtrate developed interveinal chlorosis on leaves of each entry within 2 days. Disease severity on cut seedlings of PI 567.374 was lower (P = 0.01) than on the other entries. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.94, P = 0.05) between AUDPC values of the five entries inoculated with the fungus and the cut seedling test using culture filtrate.

Detection of serum hepatitis B, C, and D viral nucleic acids and its implications in hepatocellular carcinoma patients

The association of viremia, elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, and hepatocyte inflammatory activity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients was studied. Serum samples from 114 HCC patients undergoing surgery were assayed for hepatitis B, C, and D viral nucleic acids by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) prior to surgery. Of these patients, 65 had HBV infection alone, 15 had HCV infection alone, 4 had HDV infection, 20 had HBV and HCV superinfection, 1 had triple viral infection, and 9 were negative for HBV and HCV infections. The prevalence of active viral replication was significantly higher in HCV than in HBV (92% versus 70%; P = 0.006) patients, and significantly higher mean serum ALT levels were also noted in the HCV group than in the HBV group (P = 0.02). The incidence of marked ALT elevation (>200 U/l) was highest in the HCV (27%) and the HDV (25%) groups. Patients in the HCV group were 10 years older than those in the HBV group. Viral superinfection did not accelerate the development of HCC. Viral replication persisted in a significant portion of HCC patients and a higher prevalence of hepatic inflammation was noted in patients with HCV- and, possibly, HDV-related HCC.

[Vestibular compensation: a privileged model for the study on plasticity of central nervous system]

Vestibular compensation is now considered as a privileged model for the study of the underlying mechanisms of restitution and substitution of functions after nervous system lesions. This model is ubiquitously suited for the research of plasticity of central nervous system and recuperation of functions. This review focuses on the latest progress of the research on vestibular compensation in the aspects of electrophysiology, biochemistry and molecular neurobiology as well as the expression of growth-associated protein (GAP-43), and the pharmacological effects of extract of Ginkgo biloba(EGb 761) during the course of vestibular compensation are specially discussed.

[Related factors contributing to the healthy lifestyle of urban employees through the PRECEDE model]

The purpose of this study was to assess the related factors to the healthy lifestyle of 1147 urban employees. The theoretical framework of this study was the PRECEDE model. The model included three factors: 1. predisposing factors cardiovascular disease knowledge, general self-efficacy, health related diet and exercise self-efficacy, attitude for maintaining healthy life-style, health value, health status and illness history of family); 2. enabling factors (health resource availability, health resource utility); and 3. reinforcing factors (social support, feelings of colleagues health practice); The three factors were measured by 12 scales, through which the reliability and validity were assessed. According to the stepwise multiple regression analysis, diet and exercise self-efficacy, attitude for maintaining healthy life-style, marital status, cardiovascular disease knowledge, health status, occupational level, social support and feel of colleague health practice were the significant factors which accounted for 38.2% of variance. Predisposing factors and reinforcing factors were the important factors of healthy lifestyle on urban employees.