Synthesis of 20-hydroxy-, 20-amino-, and 20-nitro-14-hydroxy-21-nor-5 beta,14 beta-pregnane C-3 glycosides and related derivatives: structure-activity relationships of pregnanes that bind to the digitalis receptor

The preparation of derivatives of 14-hydroxy-21-nor-5 beta,14 beta-pregnane and 5 beta,14 beta-pregnane C-3 alpha-L-rhamnosides and tris-beta-D-digitoxosides is described. These derivatives, possessing a C-17 beta COCH2OH, CH2OH, CO2H, CO2Me, CH2NH2, or CH2NO2 group, bind to the digitalis receptor recognition site of heart muscle as measured in a radioligand binding assay. The 21-norpregnane derivatives consistently show greater binding affinity than the corresponding 20 alpha- and 20 beta-pregnane analogs. The C-20 nitro rhamnoside is comparable to digitoxin in binding affinity. The 17 beta-CH2NO2 group is the most effective replacement for the unsaturated lactone in the binding assay found so far, showing binding affinity comparable to that of the cardiac glycosides.

In situ localization of Epstein-Barr virus in thymic carcinoma

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome is associated with a variety of lymphoid and epithelial malignancies. EBV DNA has been detected in some cases of thymic carcinoma, but the cellular locus of the virus has never been defined. Detection of EBV has also been reported in normal thymus, thymic lymphoid hyperplasia, and thymoma by some investigators but not by others. In order to better define the association of the virus with benign and malignant thymic tissues and to characterize its cellular locus, we applied a recently developed in situ hybridization technique using a very abundant EBV transcript (EBER1) as target to a variety of thymic tissues. We detected expression of this transcript only in the malignant epithelial cells in one case of thymic lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma. EBV expression was not detected in six other cases of thymic carcinoma, nor in tissue from 16 normal thymuses, 14 thymomas, and 10 thymic lymphoid hyperplasias.

Differences in the histogenesis of EDL and diaphragm in rat

We have examined the histogenesis of the diaphragm and extensor digitorum muscle in rat embryos, with the aim of defining differences in developmental patterns that can be related to the functional requirements of these muscles during and after development. Patterns of interactions between myotubes and other cells, and frequency of gap junctions are quite different in the two muscles. In diaphragm, primary myotubes (at day 16 in utero) are closely associated with each other, forming parallel sheets or palisades and communicating by gap junctions. Secondary myotubes have formed by day 18, but are immature, and the frequency of gap junctions is lower. The arrangement in palisades is maintained even after fibers are separated from each other by their individual basal lamina. In EDL primary fibers at day 16 have fewer gap junctions, and the peak in communication occurs after the appearance of secondary myotubes (day 18 and 21). Secondary myotubes are more mature than in diaphragm at day 18.

Breast volume measurement in 125 young Chinese women

The authors carried out research on breast volume and body surface anatomy of 125 unmarried young women. As a result, an average breast volume for young Chinese women was obtained (325.36 +/- 12.66 ml), and a table together with several linear equations for calculating breast volume were derived. These will provide plastic surgeons with useful tools for designing mammaplasty procedures.

[Scanning electron microscopic identification of hairs on surface of fruits and seeds of Chinese medicinal plants]

A comparative identification of hairs on surfaces of fruits and seeds of some Chinese medicines has been made, and a key to 13 kinds of hairs has been compiled. According to the characters of hairs, it is possible to identify some Chinese drugs in powder form.

The nature and importance of the inter-epsilon chain disulfide bonds in human IgE

IgE antibodies are best known for their pathological role in allergy. The class-specific effector sites are located in the epsilon chains; these form covalent dimers via two cystine residues (Cys241 and Cys328) linking opposite C epsilon 2 domains. The nature and biological significance of the inter-epsilon chain disulfide-bond arrangement is unresolved. For structural and functional analysis site-specific mutations were introduced into the C epsilon 2 domain of recombinant human IgE. The introduction of an additional cyanogen bromide cleavage site (His246----Met) facilitated the identification of parallel disulfide bond pairing. This linkage was also confirmed for myeloma IgE PS by sequence determination of disulfide-linked C epsilon 2 dimers. Substitution of Cys241 and Cys328 by Ser does not destroy receptor binding, but reductive alkylation, or the replacement of Cys328 by Met, leads to loss of activity. This shows that covalent dimerization is not essential for IgE/receptor interaction and points to the importance of the structural integrity of the site surrounding Cys328, visualized in a new model of human Fc epsilon.

Penetrating keratoplasty and raised intraocular pressure. A brief review of the problems and its management

Postkeratoplasty glaucoma is a serious sight-threatening problem that is likely to remain with us for the foreseeable future. It is common yet unsatisfactory to deal with. It is only by meticulous assessment of patients and rigorous aftercare that the condition can be adequately managed. Modern surgical techniques may improve the prognosis in cases which are uncontrolled by traditional methods.

[Morphology of the seeds of Astragalus complanatus R.Br. and Astragalus on the scanning electron microscope]

We have observed the seeds of Astragalus complanatus and its 18 species and divided them into three groups by comparing their shapes, sizes and morphology of seed cuticles with scanning electron microscope.

The use of silicone drainage tubing to control post-keratoplasty glaucoma

A series of 20 patients who developed severe post-keratoplasty glaucoma unresponsive to medical therapy and trabeculecetomy were treated using silicone drainage tubing and an anterior encircling gutter. The results indicate a four year probability of maintaining vision and normal intraocular pressure (less than 21 mmHg) of 0.68. In contrast, an earlier series of 13 patients receiving cycloablation with cryotherapy did significantly worse.