[Chinese hamster emotionality rating scale]

To establish the rating method of Chinese Hamster emotionality and verify its reliability of assessment result so as to investigate the role of emotionality in onset/incidence of diabetes in Chinese Hamster of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, Ader's rating methods of emotionality were revised, the level of emotionality for Chinese Hamster was measured, cut off score of emotionality was computed, and reliability of rating scale was analysed. The results were that the cut off score of emotionality which was 5 scores could divide the high/low emotionality response in individual animal; Some items were moderately and highly correlated to total score (r = 0.3268-0.7347); The test-retest reliabilities of total score after 1 and 8 days ranged 0.5874 to 0.6105, the inter-rater agreement for reliability trials was 95.2%, and its Kappa value was 0.905. The results suggest that Chinese Hamster Emotionality Rating Scale has the satisfactory reliability.

Measurement of day and night neutrino energy spectra at SNO and constraints on neutrino mixing parameters

The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) has measured day and night solar neutrino energy spectra and rates. For charged current events, assuming an undistorted 8B spectrum, the night minus day rate is 14.0%+/-6.3%(+1.5%)(-1.4%) of the average rate. If the total flux of active neutrinos is additionally constrained to have no asymmetry, the nu(e) asymmetry is found to be 7.0%+/-4.9%(+1.3%)(-1.2%). A global solar neutrino analysis in terms of matter-enhanced oscillations of two active flavors strongly favors the large mixing angle solution.

Direct evidence for neutrino flavor transformation from neutral-current interactions in the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory

Observations of neutral-current nu interactions on deuterium in the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory are reported. Using the neutral current (NC), elastic scattering, and charged current reactions and assuming the standard 8B shape, the nu(e) component of the 8B solar flux is phis(e) = 1.76(+0.05)(-0.05)(stat)(+0.09)(-0.09)(syst) x 10(6) cm(-2) s(-1) for a kinetic energy threshold of 5 MeV. The non-nu(e) component is phi(mu)(tau) = 3.41(+0.45)(-0.45)(stat)(+0.48)(-0.45)(syst) x 10(6) cm(-2) s(-1), 5.3sigma greater than zero, providing strong evidence for solar nu(e) flavor transformation. The total flux measured with the NC reaction is phi(NC) = 5.09(+0.44)(-0.43)(stat)(+0.46)(-0.43)(syst) x 10(6) cm(-2) s(-1), consistent with solar models.

Effect of estrogen deficiency on skeletal and alveolar bone density in sheep

BACKGROUND

This study provides a longitudinal assessment of changes in alveolar and skeletal bone mineral density (BMD) in ovariectomized animals.

METHODS

Following ovariectomy (OVX) (n = 6) or sham-operation (n = 6) intraoral radiographs were made at 4-month intervals and serum 17-beta-estradiol, osteocalcin, and interleukin (IL)-6, urinary deoxypyridinium, and salivary IL-6, deoxypyridinium, and osteocalcin concentrations were evaluated. Twelve months after surgery, animals were sacrificed and the mandible and radius/ulna removed. Bones were sectioned and radiographed. Mean BMD and cortical thicknesses were calculated from each region.

RESULTS

OVX animals had a progressive decrease in serum 17-beta-estradiol, increased serum osteocalcin and IL-6, urinary deoxypyridinium and salivary IL-6, osteocalcin and deoxypyridinium (P < 0.001), suggesting that they were becoming osteoporotic. The BMD of the radius/ulna and mandibular alveolar bone was significantly reduced in OVX animals (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). Reduced alveolar bone BMD became evident in OVX animals 6 months after surgery and became more severe during the subsequent 6 months. Alveolar crestal height was also significantly reduced in OVX animals (P < 0.001). These biochemical and density changes preceded a significant reduction in serum 17-beta-estradiol, which occurred between 4 and 8 months following surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Serial measurements of alveolar BMD predicts loss of skeletal BMD in OVX sheep. Changes in alveolar BMD precede estrogen deficiency, suggesting that early signs of reduced BMD may be detected in peri-menopausal women. The presence of biomarkers of bone metabolism within saliva and their correlation with reduced BMD suggests that saliva could be used as an adjunct screening method for assessment of skeletal bone density.

Dioxygen activation by a neutral beta-diketiminato copper(I) ethylene complex

The synthesis and structure of two thermally stable neutral beta-diketiminato copper(I) olefin complexes are presented along with the structure of a Cu(II)2(mu-OH)2 dimer that results from the reaction of the Cu(I) ethylene complex with O2 via the proposed intermediacy of a Cu(III)2(mu-O)2 species.

[A retrospective clinical study of 6539 cases of malignant oral-maxillofacial tumors]

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to obtain the general information of post-operation malignant oral-maxillofacial tumor patients in forty-seven years.

METHODS

A total of 6539 patients with malignant oral-maxillofacial tumors in the hospital of stomatology, west china university of medical sciences, from 1953 to 2000 were retrospected.

RESULTS

The average age of patients with malignant oral-maxilloficial tumor is 48.7 years old. The ratio of male to female is 2.31:1. The most common original malignant tumors in this oral-maxillofacial region are malignant oral tumors, malignant maxillary tumors, malignant mandibular tumors, and malignant sialoma successively. As to the original tissues of tumors, there were 5869 cases of epithelial tumors, and made up 89.75% of all the investigated patients. Tumors came from lymphatic and hematopoietic systems and mesoderm were much less those came from epithelia. There were 4177 cases of squamous cell carcinomas and the percentage was 63.88%.

CONCLUSION

The incidence rate of malignant tumors in oral-maxillofacial region tends to increase, and the average age of patients also rose. The ratio of male to female decreases gradually. Epithelial tumors, especially squamous cell carcinomas are very common tumors happening in this region.

Identification and characterization of the neutralization epitope(s) of the hepatitis E virus

The neutralization epitope(s) of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) was studied by an in vitro neutralization assay using antibodies obtained by immunization of mice with 51 overlapping 30-mer synthetic peptides spanning the region 221-660 amino acids (aa) of the HEV open reading frame 2 encoded protein (pORF2) and 31 overlapping recombinant proteins of different sizes derived from the entire pORF2 of the HEV Burma strain. Antibodies against synthetic peptides and short recombinant proteins of approximately 100 aa did not neutralize HEV, suggesting the HEV neutralization epitope(s) is conformation-dependent. However, one recombinant protein of approximately 400 aa in length comprising the pORF2 sequence at position 274-660 aa as well as all truncated derivatives of this protein containing region 452-617 aa elicited antibodies, demonstrating HEV neutralizing activity. These findings establish for the first time that the minimal size fragment, designated pB166, that can efficiently model the neutralization epitope(s) is 166 aa in length and is located at position 452-617 aa of the HEV pORF2. Additionally, antibodies against pB166 were found to cross-neutralize three different HEV genotypes, suggesting that a common neutralization epitope(s) may exist within the different HEV genotypes. Thus, recombinant proteins constructed in this study may be considered as potential candidates for the development of an HEV subunit vaccine as well as for the development of highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tests.

Measurement of the rate of nu(e) + d --> p + p + e(-) interactions produced by (8)B solar neutrinos at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory

Solar neutrinos from (8)B decay have been detected at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory via the charged current (CC) reaction on deuterium and the elastic scattering (ES) of electrons. The flux of nu(e)'s is measured by the CC reaction rate to be straight phi(CC)(nu(e)) = 1.75 +/- 0.07(stat)(+0.12)(-0.11)(syst) +/- 0.05(theor) x 10(6) cm(-2) s(-1). Comparison of straight phi(CC)(nu(e)) to the Super-Kamiokande Collaboration's precision value of the flux inferred from the ES reaction yields a 3.3 sigma difference, assuming the systematic uncertainties are normally distributed, providing evidence of an active non- nu(e) component in the solar flux. The total flux of active 8B neutrinos is determined to be 5.44+/-0.99 x 10(6) cm(-2) s(-1).

[Expression of otsA gene in tobacco and improvement stress tolerance]

The Escherichia coli trehalose-6-phosphate synthase gene(otsA) was engineered under the control of cauliflower mosaic virus regulatory sequences (CaMV35S) for expression in plants. OtsA gene was incorporated into the chromosome DNA by Agrobacterium-mediated transfer and expressed in Nicotiana tabacum. The otsA gene transgenic plant exhibited multiple phenotypic alteration: improved stunted growth and drought tolerance. The detached leaves from the transgenic plant, their water loss slower than that of the controls. Trehalose accumulated in transgenic plant was determined by HPLC suggest that synthesis of the sugar improving plant to stress tolerance.

The effects of lead on transient outward currents of acutely dissociated rat dorsal root ganglia

The effects of Pb2+ on transient outward currents (TOCs) were investigated on rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons at postnatal days of 15 approximately 21, using the conventional whole-cell patch-clamp technique. In media-sized (35 approximately 40 microm) neurons and in the presence of 50 mM TEA, TOCs that preliminarly included an A-current (IA) and a D-current (ID), were clearly present and dominant. Application of Pb2+ lengthened the initial delay of TOCs and increased the onset-peak time in a concentration-dependent manner. The amplitudes of initial outward current peak were reduced with increasing Pb2+ concentrations. The inhibitory effects of Pb2+ on TOCs were reversible with 80 approximately 90% of current reversed in 2 approximately 10 min at 1 approximately 400 microM Pb2+. For the normalized activation curves fitted by a single Boltzmann equation under each condition, there was a shift to more depolarized voltages with increasing concentrations of Pb2+. The V1/2 and the slope factor (k) increased from 12.76+/-1.49 mV and 15.31+/-1.66 mV (n=10) under control condition to 39.91+/-5.44 mV (n=10, P<0.01) and 21.39+/-3.13 mV (n=10, P<0.05) at 400 microM Pb2+, respectively, indicating that Pb2+ decreased the activation of TOCs. For the normalized steady-state inactivation curves, the V1/2 and the k increased from -92.31+/-2.72 and 8.59+/-1.36 mV (n=10) to -55.65+/-3.67 (n=10, P<0.01) and 23.02+/-2.98 mV (n=10, P<0.01) at 400 microM Pb2+, respectively. The curves were shifted to more depolarized voltages by Pb2+, indicating that channels were less likely to be inactivated at higher concentrations of Pb2+ at any given potential. The fast (tf) and slow (ts) decay time-constants were both significantly increased by increasing concentrations of Pb2+ (n=10, P<0.05), indicating that Pb2+ increased the decay time-course of TOCs. These effects were concentration-dependent and partly reversible following washing. Ca2+ modulated the TOCs gating and might share same binding site with Pb2+, for which Ca2+ had very low affinity. In summary, the results demonstrated that Pb2+ was a dose- and voltage-dependent, and reversible blocker of TOCs in rat DRG neurons. After Pb2+ application, normal sensory physiology of DRG neurons was affected, and these neurons might display aberrant firing properties that resulted in abnormal sensations. This variation caused by Pb2+ could underlie the toxical modulation of sensory input to the central nervous system.

Transgenic zebrafish for studying nervous system development and regeneration

Alpha1 tubulin gene expression is induced in the developing and regenerating CNS of vertebrates. Therefore, alpha1 tubulin gene expression may serve as a good probe for mechanisms underlying CNS development and regeneration. One approach to identify these mechanisms is to work backwards from the genome. This requires identification of alpha1 tubulin DNA sequences that mediate its developmental and regeneration-dependent expression pattern. Therefore, we generated transgenic zebrafish harboring a fragment of the alpha1 tubulin gene driving green fluorescent protein expression (GFP). In these fish, and similar to the endogenous gene, transgene expression was dramatically induced in the developing and regenerating nervous system. Although transgene expression generally declined during maturation of the nervous system, robust GFP expression was maintained in progenitor cells in the retinal periphery, lining brain ventricles and surrounding the central canal of the spinal cord. When these cells were cultured in vitro they divided and gave rise to new neurons. We also show that optic nerve crush in adult fish re-induced transgene expression in retinal ganglion cells. These studies identified a relatively small region of the alpha1 tubulin promoter that mediates its regulated expression pattern in developing and adult fish. This promoter will be extremely useful to investigators interested in targeting gene expression to the developing or regenerating nervous system. As adult transgenic fish maintain transgene expression in neural progenitors, these fish also provide a valuable resource of labeled adult neural progenitor cells that can be studied in vivo or in vitro. Finally, these fish should provide a unique in vivo system for investigating mechanisms mediating CNS development and regeneration.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma regulates airway epithelial cell activation

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear hormone transcription factors that regulate genes associated with lipid and glucose metabolism. Recent evidence suggests that PPAR-gamma may also act as a negative immunomodulator. To investigate the potential role of PPAR-gamma in regulating airway inflammation, we characterized the expression and function of PPAR-gamma in airway epithelial cells. Airway epithelial cells constitutively express PPAR-gamma-specific messenger RNA and protein. Further, airway epithelial PPAR-gamma is inducible by interleukin (IL)-4 in NIH-A549 cells. Two PPAR-gamma agonists, the prostaglandin D2 metabolite 15-deoxy-(Delta)(12,14) prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) and a thiazolidinedione, ciglitazone, were used to study the effects of PPAR-gamma activation on airway epithelial cytokine expression. Activation of PPAR-gamma stimulated a PPAR-responsive reporter gene in a ligand-specific manner. In NIH-A549 cells, both ligands also blocked the cytokine-induced expression of the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, ciglitazone alone had a slight effect on cytokine-induced IL-8 secretion, but markedly inhibited IL-8 secretion from cells pretreated with IL-4. The demonstration of PPAR-gamma expression and function in airway epithelial cells expands the immunoregulatory role of PPARs and suggests a critical role for PPAR-gamma in antagonizing proinflammatory pathways in the airways.

[Detection of trehalose in transgenic tobacco by HPLC with ELSD]

The E. coli trehase synthalose gene(otsA) was transferred into Nicotiana tabacum mediated by Agrobacterium, but the method for detecting low concentration of trehalose in transgenic plant was not available. The high performance liquid chromatograph(HPLC) with evaporative light-scatting detector(ELSD) using water: methyl cyanide(1:2.6 v/v) as mobile phase was established in this work. An ODS column Zorbax RX-SIL was employed. the trehalose detection limits of ELSD was 5 mg/L. From the linear relationship between the logarithm of trehalose concentration and the logarithm of peak area, it was shown there was 14.7 micrograms.(g FW)-1 in transgenic plant. The data strongly confirmed that trehalose was responsible for the improved stress tolerance of the tobacco.

Neuronal signals regulate neurotrophin expression in oligodendrocytes of the basal forebrain

Previous studies suggest that oligodendrocytes express trophic molecules, including neurotrophins. These molecules have been shown to influence nearby neurons. To determine whether neuronal signals may, in turn, affect oligodendrocyte-derived trophins, we examined regulation of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) mRNA expression in cultured oligodendrocytes of the basal forebrain. Neuronal signals had distinct effects on individual neurotrophins. KCl elicited increases in BDNF mRNA, but did not affect expression of NGF or NT-3. The cholinergic agonist, carbachol, increased expression of NGF, but did not affect expression of BDNF or NT-3. Glutamate elicited a decrease in BDNF, but did not affect expression of NGF or NT-3. This glutamate effect is not due to toxicity, since the number of total cells was unchanged, while the number of mature myelin basic protein positive (MBP+) cells increased. Our observations suggest that individual neuronal signals distinctly influence the trophic function of oligodendrocytes.

Voltammetric determination of cadmium(II) using a chemically modified electrode

An 1-(pyridylazo)-2-naphthol modified glassy carbon electrode has been investigated as sensor for the measurement of trace levels of Cd2+. Cd2+ is deposited on the surface of a PAN modified glassy carbon electrode at -1.10 V (vs. SCE) via forming Cd2+-PAN and subsequent reduction at the electrode. In the following step, Cd-PAN is oxidized, and voltammograms are recorded by scanning the potential in a positive direction. Calibration plots were found to be linear in the range 2 x 10(-8) mol/L to 8 x 10(-7) mol/L. The detection limit was 5 x 10(-10) mol/L, and the coefficient of variation, determined on one single electrode at a concentration of 5 x 10(-7) mol/L, was calculated to be 3.2% (n = 5). Using this new kind of modified electrode, trace levels of Cd(II) in water samples were determined; the average recovery was calculated to be 98.78%.

Type of inversion problem in physics: an inverse emissivity problem

Inversion problems have recently drawn vast amounts of attention from the physics community due to their potential widespread applications. In this Rapid Communication, a different type of inversion problem in physics is proposed: an inverse emissivity problem, which aims to determine the emissivity g(nu) by measuring only the total radiated power J(T). Like other inverse problems, this one has potential for important practical applications. An exact solution is obtained for the proposed inverse problem. A unique existence theorem and techniques for eliminating divergences are also presented. A universal function set (UFS) suggested for numerical calculations is shown to be very useful in a numerical example. The UFS makes this inversion method practical and convenient for realistic calculations.

Personality profiles and the prediction of categorical personality disorders

Personality disorders (PDs) are usually construed as psychiatric categories characterized by a unique configuration of traits and behaviors. To generate clinical hypotheses from normal personality trait scores, profile agreement statistics can be calculated using a prototypical personality profile for each PD. Multimethod data from 1,909 psychiatric patients in the People's Republic of China were used to examine the accuracy of such hypotheses in the Interpretive Report of the Revised NEO Personality Inventory. Profile agreement indices from both self-reports and spouse ratings were significantly related to PD symptom scores derived from questionnaires and clinical interviews. However, accuracy of diagnostic classification was only modest to moderate, probably because PDs are not discrete categorical entities. Together with other literature, these data suggest that the current categorical system should be replaced by a more comprehensive system of personality traits and personality-related problems.

Bocdene and Mocdene Derivatives of Catechols and Catecholamines

[reaction in text] Catechols react chemoselectively, in the presence of either alcohols, 1,2-diols, or simple phenols, with tert-butyl propynoate and with methyl propynoate to give 2-Boc-ethylidene (Bocdene) and 2-Moc-ethylidene (Mocdene) acetals, respectively, in 96-100% yields within 30 min at room temperature, provided that 150 mol % of DMAP is added. Cleavage of these acetals with pyrrolidine readily takes place (at room temperature!) in 95-100% yields. By taking advantage of the features of Bocdene acetals, novel catecholamine-related phosphate mimetics have been prepared.

Monitoring of Lactobacillus fermentation process by using ion chromatography with a series piezoelectric quartz crystal detector

A new method monitoring Lactobacillus fermentation process, which combines ion chromatography (IC) with a series piezoelectric quartz crystal (SPQC) technique, is presented in this paper. Monitoring of the fermentation process was realized by examining the rate of production of lactic acid. An automatic membrane dialyser was used for the pretreatment of the sample in on-line monitoring. A mixture of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and N,N-diethylethanolamine was adopted as mobile phase and its flow rate was 0.8 ml/min. The effects of some fermentation conditions were also discussed in detail. Accordingly, the optimal fermentation conditions were obtained. This method is simple and convenient while the results obtained are accurate and reliable.

[Inhibition of voltage-activated outward delayed rectifier potassium channel currents in dorsal root ganglion neurons of rats by lead]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of lead on voltage-activated outward delayed rectifier potassium channel currents in acute isolated dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons of adult rats.

METHODS

Patch clamp technique was employed to record the whole cell of DRG in adult rats.

RESULTS

In the experiments, delayed rectifier (IK) potassium currents channel was recorded and activation was voltage-dependent. The threshold concentration of lead (Pb2+) for IK was 1 mumol/L, which reduced potassium current by (8.6 +/- 0.8)%, 4 mumol/L of Pb2+ reduced the current by (38.6 +/- 6.2)%, and 8 mumol/L of Pb2+ reduced the current by (63.0 +/- 5.1)%. The action of lead was rapid and its effect would be reversed rapidly to various extent by washing.

CONCLUSION

Higher outward delayed rectifier potassium channel currents, which could be reversed.

The cross-cultural generalizability of Axis-II constructs: an evaluation of two personality disorder assessment instruments in the People's Republic of China

We examined the reliability, cross-instrument validity, and factor structure of Chinese adaptations of the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire (PDQ-4+; N = 1,926) and Personality Disorders Interview (PDI-IV; N = 525) in psychiatric patients. Comparisons with data from Western countries suggest that the psychometric properties of these two instruments are comparable across cultures. Low to modest agreement between the PDQ-4+ and PDI-IV was observed for both dimensional and categorical personality disorder evaluations. When the PDI-IV was used as the diagnostic standard, the PDQ-4+ showed higher sensitivity than specificity, and higher negative predictive power than positive predictive power. Factor analyses of both instruments replicated the four-factor structure O'Connor and Dyce (1998) found in Western samples. Results suggested that conceptions and measures of DSM-IV personality disorders are cross-culturally generalizable to Chinese psychiatric populations.

Reliability assessment of soluble c-erbB-2 concentrations in the saliva of healthy women and men

BACKGROUND

The protein c-erb B-2, also known as Her2/neu, is a prognostic breast cancer marker assayed in tissue biopsy specimens from women diagnosed with malignant tumors. Current studies suggest that soluble fragments of the c-erb B-2 oncogene may be released from the cell surface and become detectable in patients with a carcinoma of the breast. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to assay soluble c-erb B-2 protein in the saliva of healthy men and women to determine the reliability of the assay.

METHODS

To determine the diagnostic utility of this oncogene, we assayed the soluble form of the c-erb B-2 protein in the saliva with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The study population consisted of 10 healthy women and 9 healthy men who were serially sampled for saliva 3 times a day for a 5-day period. Saliva was collected from each subject at 9 AM, 4 PM, and 9 PM during the 5-day period.

RESULTS

We found the presence of c-erb B-2 protein in the saliva of both groups of subjects. The salivary levels of c-erb B-2 were not significantly different when compared for gender differences. Likewise, the results suggest that sampling during various times of the day for salivary c-erb B-2 levels has no effect on marker concentration. Reliability analyses showed that supervised salivary collections were more reliable than unsupervised collections.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this pilot study suggest that the assay for salivary c-erb B-2 protein is reliable and might have potential use in the initial detection and follow-up screening for the recurrence of breast cancer in both men and women.