[Clinical efficacy and safety analysis of 125I seed implantation in the treatment of mediastinal lymph node metastasis of lung cancer]

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of ¹²⁵I seed implantation in the treatment of mediastinal lymph node metastasis of lung cancer. Methods: Clinical data of 36 patients who underwent CT-guided ¹²⁵I seed implantation for mediastinal lymph node metastasis of lung cancer from August 2013 to April 2020 in three hospitals of the Northern radioactive particle implantation treatment collaboration group were retrospectively collected, including 24 males and 12 females, aged 46 to 84 years. Cox regression model was used to analyze the relationship between local control rate, survival rate and tumor stage, pathological type, postoperative D90, postoperative D100 and other variables, and to analyze the occurrence of complications. Results: The objective response rate of CT-guided ¹²⁵I seed implantation in the treatment of mediastinal lymph node metastasis of lung cancer was 75% (27/36), the median control time was 12 months, the 1-year local control rate was 47.2% (17/36), and the median survival time was 17 months. The 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 61.1% (22/36) and 22.2% (8/36) respectively. Univariate analysis showed that in the treatment of mediastinal lymph node metastasis with CT-guided ¹²⁵I implantation, factors related to local control included tumor stage (HR=5.246, 95%CI: 2.243-12.268, P<0.001), postoperative D90 (HR=0.191, 95%CI: 0.085-0.431, P<0.001), postoperative D100 (HR=0.240, 95%CI: 0.108-0.533, P<0.001); The factors affecting survival were tumor stage (HR=2.712, 95%CI: 1.356-5.425, P=0.005), postoperative D90 (HR=0.110, 95%CI: 0.041-0.294, P<0.001), postoperative D100 (HR=0.212, 95%CI: 0.092-0.489, P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that tumor stage (HR=5.305, 95%CI: 2.187-12.872, P<0.001) and postoperative D100 (HR=0.237, 95%CI: 0.099-0.568, P<0.001) were correlated with local control rate. Tumor stage (HR=2.347, 95%CI: 1.095-5.032, P=0.028) and postoperative D90 (HR=0.144, 95%CI: 0.051-0.410, P<0.001) were correlated with survival. In terms of complications, 9 of the 36 patients had pneumothorax, and 1 of them was cured by closed thoracic drainage for severe pneumothorax; 5 cases developed pulmonary hemorrhage and 5 cases developed hemoptysis, which recovered after hemostasis treatment. One case developed pulmonary infection and recovered after anti-inflammatory treatment. No radiation esophagitis and radiation pneumonia occurred; No grade 3 or higher complications occurred. Conclusion: ¹²⁵I seed implantation in the treatment of lung cancer mediastinal lymph node metastasis has a high local control rate and controllable adverse effects.

Exploring psychological and psychosocial correlates of non-suicidal self-injury and suicide in college students using network analysis

BACKGROUND

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicide are a serious health concern in young people. Remarkable progress has been made in understanding the correlates and risk factors for suicidality. However, it remains unclear the complex interplay between different factors and which factors are most saliently associated with NSSI and suicide risk and should be targeted for interventions.

METHODS

This study utilized network analysis to examine the interrelationship between NSSI, suicide and a variety of psychological (e.g., depression, psychotic-like experiences) and psychosocial (e.g., childhood maltreatment, family dysfunction, being bullied and social support) correlates in a sample of Chinese first year college students (n = 2328).

RESULTS

The severity of depressive symptoms was the only factor connected to both NSSI and suicide. Other psychiatric factors like psychotic experiences could only act in an indirect way via the bridging effect of depression. Emotional abuse, compared with other forms of childhood adversities, was found to be the most influential maltreatment form associated with suicidal ideation and attempts. Finally, social support showed the potential to lower the risk of self-injury and suicide in young people.

LIMITATIONS

Only a subset of risk and resilience factors of NSSI and suicide were included. Causal inference was impossible due to the cross-sectional design.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlighted the importance of identifying risk groups with mental illnesses or negative childhood events, and providing additional support during the key time of transitioning into higher education.

The association of magnetoencephalography high-frequency oscillations with epilepsy types and a ripple-based method with source-level connectivity for mapping epilepsy sources

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) and epilepsy types and to improve the accuracy of source localization.

METHODS

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) ripples of 63 drug-resistant epilepsy patients were detected. Ripple rates, distribution, spatial complexity, and the clustering coefficient of ripple channels were used for the preliminary classification of lateral temporal lobe epilepsy (LTLE), mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE), and nontemporal lobe epilepsy (NTLE), mainly frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE). Furthermore, the seizure site identification was improved using the Tucker LCMV method and source-level betweenness centrality.

RESULTS

Ripple rates were significantly higher in MTLE than in LTLE and NTLE (p < 0.05). The LTLE and MTLE were mainly distributed in the temporal lobe, followed by the parietal lobe, occipital lobe, and frontal lobe, whereas MTLE ripples were mainly distributed in the frontal lobe, then parietal lobe and occipital lobe. Nevertheless, the NTLE ripples were primarily in the frontal lobe and partially in the occipital lobe (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the spatial complexity of NTLE was significantly higher than that of LTLE and MTLE and was lowest in MTLE (p < 0.01). However, an opposite trend was observed for the standardized clustering coefficient compared with spatial complexity (p < 0.01). Finally, the tucker algorithm showed a higher percentage of ripples at the surgical site when the betweenness centrality was added (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that HFO rates, distribution, spatial complexity, and clustering coefficient of ripple channels varied considerably among the three epilepsy types. Additionally, tucker MEG estimation combined with ripple rates based on the source-level functional connectivity is a promising approach for presurgical epilepsy evaluation.

Altered topographical organization of grey matter structural network in early-onset schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is characterized by both disrupted neurodevelopmental processes and abnormal brain connectivity. However, few studies have examined the atypical features of brain network topography associated with schizophrenia during childhood and adolescence. We used graph theory to compare the grey matter structural networks of individuals (aged 10-15 years) with early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) (n = 25) and a typically-developing (TD) comparison group (n = 31). Compared with the TD group, EOS patients showed significantly increased clustering and local efficiency across a range of network densities (0.3 - 0.4). The network of EOS patients also had more modules (6 modules in EOS vs. 3 modules in controls), indicating a more segregated network at the cost of functional integration. Although our results were preliminary and failed to survive corrections for multiple comparisons, EOS patients might be characterized by altered nodal centrality in several higher-order associative regions including the prefrontal cortex, the hippocampus and the cerebellum. The EOS structural network also lacked the typical left-hemispheric-dominant hub distribution compared with the TD group. These findings suggest that brain structural network was not only globally but also regionally altered in EOS patients.

Magnetoencephalography for epileptic focus localization based on Tucker decomposition with ripple window

AIMS

To improve the Magnetoencephalography (MEG) spatial localization precision of focal epileptic.

METHODS

306-channel simulated or real clinical MEG is estimated as a lower-dimensional tensor by Tucker decomposition based on Higher-order orthogonal iteration (HOOI) before the inverse problem using linearly constraint minimum variance (LCMV). For simulated MEG data, the proposed method is compared with dynamic imaging of coherent sources (DICS), multiple signal classification (MUSIC), and LCMV. For clinical real MEG of 31 epileptic patients, the ripples (80-250 Hz) were detected to compare the source location precision with spikes using the proposed method or the dipole-fitting method.

RESULTS

The experimental results showed that the positional accuracy of the proposed method was higher than that of LCMV, DICS, and MUSIC for simulation data. For clinical real MEG data, the positional accuracy of the proposed method was higher than that of dipole-fitting regardless of whether the time window was ripple window or spike window. Also, the positional accuracy of the ripple window was higher than that of the spike window regardless of whether the source location method was the proposed method or the dipole-fitting method. For both shallow and deep sources, the proposed method provided effective performance.

CONCLUSION

Tucker estimation of MEG for source imaging by ripple window is a promising approach toward the presurgical evaluation of epileptics.

Self-reported sensory responsiveness patterns in typically-developing and early-onset schizophrenia adolescents: Its relationship with schizotypal and autistic traits

Altered behavioural responses to sensory stimuli, including both hypo- and hyper-reactivity, have been found in individuals with schizophrenia. However, how specific sensory responsiveness patterns are associated with symptomatology of schizophrenia remains largely unknown. The present study aimed to examine sensory responsiveness in typically-developing (TD) adolescents (n = 98) and adolescents with early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) (n = 29) and investigate the relationship between schizotypal traits and sensory responsiveness patterns. All participants completed the Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile (AASP), the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) and the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Results showed that higher levels of hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity coexisted in EOS patients and were correlated with positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Atypical sensory experiences except for sensory seeking were found to be positively correlated with higher levels of schizotypal traits regardless of diagnostic status. Moreover, the strength and pattern of such correlations were comparable in both EOS and TD groups. This study also provided evidence that higher levels of autistic traits would intensify the positive correlation between schizotypal traits and sensory responsiveness abnormalities, suggesting an additive effect of co-occurring schizotypal and autistic traits on atypical sensory experiences. These findings extend previous research by depicting sensory responsiveness patterns in younger populations with schizophrenia, and may have implications for future development of sensory-related interventions in clinical settings.

Altered empathy-related resting-state functional connectivity in adolescents with early-onset schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders

Empathy refers to the ability to understand other people's feelings and reacting emotionally to others. Impaired empathy has been reported in both individuals with schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Despite overlaps, few studies have directly examined the neural mechanisms of impaired empathy in these two clinical groups. We used resting-state fMRI to investigate the neural correlates of empathic functioning in adolescents with ASD (N = 11), early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) (N = 20), and typically developing (TD) controls (N = 26). Their parents completed the Griffith Empathy Measure (GEM) to assess the adolescents' empathic capacity. We found that EOS and ASD participants both exhibited impaired empathy as measured by the GEM, especially in cognitive empathy (post-hoc ps < 0.05). Regions-of-interest-based functional connectivity revealed decreased connectivity between the salience network (SN) (i.e., the anterior insula and the anterior cingulate cortex) and core regions of the mentalizing network (e.g., the temporal-parietal junction and the precuneus), and among the SN and the bilateral superior temporal gyri (STG) and the left cerebellum in EOS participants. Subsequent comparisons revealed reduced grey matter volume in the STG bilaterally in both clinical groups. Increased resting-state functional connectivity within the social brain network was correlated with higher parent-reported scores of empathic capacity in TD adolescents, but such a brain-phenotype relationship was absent in the two clinical groups. These findings indicate that structural alterations and disturbed resting-state functional connectivity in the core empathy network may be the neural correlates of social cognitive deficits in individuals with EOS and ASD.

[Soil enzyme activities and their stoichiometry of typical plantations in mid-subtropical China]

We measured the activities of six kinds of enzyme, including β-glucosidase (BG), β-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), acid phosphatase (AP), polyphenol oxidase (POX), peroxidase (POD), as well as enzyme stoichiometric ratios and soil physical and chemical properties at 0-10 and 10-20 cm layers across typical Pinus massoniana plantation, Pinus elliottii plantation and mixed plantation of P. massoniana and Schima superba (broadleaved-conifer mixed plantation) in mid-subtropical China. Key factors driving the variation in soil enzyme activity and stoichiometry among different stand types were investigated. The results showed that the activities of soil BG and LAP were significantly affected by stand type. Soil BG activity at 10-20 cm soil layer was significantly higher in P. elliottii plantation than in P. massoniana plantation, while the activity of LAP was highest in the P. massoniana plantation. Soil BG/(NAG+LAP) and BG/AP at 10-20 cm layer of P. elliottii plantation were significantly higher than those of P. massoniana plantation, while (NAG+LAP)/AP of P. massoniana plantation was significantly higher than those of P. elliottii plantation and mixed plantation. The vector length of enzyme stoichiometry at 10-20 cm soil layer was significantly different among stand type, with an order of P. elliottii plantation > broadleaved-conifer mixed plantation > P. massoniana. The vector angles of enzyme stoichiometry in the three plantations were greater than 45°, with the vector angle in the P. elliottii plantation at 10-20 cm soil layer being significantly greater than that of the P. massoniana plantation. Results from redundancy analysis showed that soil carbon quality index and the ratio of soil organic carbon to total phosphorus (C/P), soil water content and C/P were the key factors affecting soil enzyme activity and stoichiometry at 0-10 and 10-20 cm soil layers, respectively. The quantity and quality of soil carbon and phosphorus, and soil water content played a key role in regulating nutrient cycling in mid-subtropical plantation ecosystem.

BRD4 inhibition exerts anti-viral activity through DNA damage-dependent innate immune responses

Chromatin dynamics regulated by epigenetic modification is crucial in genome stability and gene expression. Various epigenetic mechanisms have been identified in the pathogenesis of human diseases. Here, we examined the effects of ten epigenetic agents on pseudorabies virus (PRV) infection by using GFP-reporter assays. Inhibitors of bromodomain protein 4 (BRD4), which receives much more attention in cancer than viral infection, was found to exhibit substantial anti-viral activity against PRV as well as a range of DNA and RNA viruses. We further demonstrated that BRD4 inhibition boosted a robust innate immune response. BRD4 inhibition also de-compacted chromatin structure and induced the DNA damage response, thereby triggering the activation of cGAS-mediated innate immunity and increasing host resistance to viral infection both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, the inhibitory effect of BRD4 inhibition on viral infection was mainly attributed to the attenuation of viral attachment. Our findings reveal a unique mechanism through which BRD4 inhibition restrains viral infection and points to its potent therapeutic value for viral infectious diseases.

BRD4 has been well investigated in tumorigenesis for its contribution to chromatin remodeling and gene transcription. BRD4 inhibitors are used as promising chemotherapeutic drugs for cancer therapy. Here, we show a unique mechanism through which BRD4 inhibition broadly inhibits attachment of DNA and RNA viruses through DNA damage-dependent antiviral innate immune activation via the cGAS-STING pathway, in both cell culture and an animal model. STING-associated innate immune signaling has been considered to be a new possibility for cancer therapy, and STING agonists have been tested in early clinical trials. Our data identify BRD4 inhibitors as a potent therapy not only for viral infection but also for cancer immunotherapy.

Audiovisual temporal integration and rapid temporal recalibration in adolescents and adults: Age-related changes and its correlation with autistic traits

Temporal structure is a key factor in determining the relatedness of multisensory stimuli. Stimuli that are close in time are more likely to be integrated into a unified perceptual representation. To investigate the age-related developmental differences in audiovisual temporal integration and rapid temporal recalibration, we administered simultaneity judgment (SJ) tasks to a group of adolescents (11-14 years) and young adults (18-28 years). No age-related changes were found in the width of the temporal binding window within which participants are highly likely to combine multisensory stimuli. The main distinction between adolescents and adults was audiovisual temporal recalibration. Although participants of both age groups could rapidly recalibrate based on the previous trial for speech stimuli (i.e., syllable utterances), only adults but not adolescents showed short-term recalibration for simple and non-speech stimuli. In both adolescents and adults, no significant correlation was found between audiovisual temporal integration ability and autistic or schizotypal traits. These findings provide new information on the developmental trajectory of basic multisensory function and may have implications for neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism) with altered audiovisual temporal integration. Autism Res 2020, 13: 615-626. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: Utilizing temporal cues to integrate and separate audiovisual information is a fundamental ability underlying higher order social communicative functions. This study examines the developmental changes of the ability to detect audiovisual asynchrony and rapidly adjust sensory decisions based on previous sensory input. In healthy adolescents and young adults, the correlation between autistic traits and audiovisual integration ability failed to reach a significant level. Therefore, more research is needed to examine whether impairment in basic sensory functions is correlated with broader autism phenotype in nonclinical populations. These results may help us understand altered multisensory integration in people with autism.

Combinatorial optical complex wavelet-fractional Fourier transform

By using the technique of integration within ordered product of operators, we put forward the combinatorial optical complex wavelet-fractional Fourier transform in the context of quantum optics. The unitary operator for this new transform is found and its normally ordered form is deduced. We apply this new transform to the two-mode vacuum state and the two-mode number state and explain that it can be used to analyze and identify various quantum optical states.

High-Magnetic-Field Tunneling Spectra of ABC-Stacked Trilayer Graphene on Graphite

ABC-stacked trilayer graphene (TLG) was predicted to exhibit novel many-body phenomena due to the existence of almost dispersionless flat bands near the charge neutrality point. Here, using high-magnetic-field scanning tunneling microscopy, we present Landau Level (LL) spectroscopy measurements of high-quality ABC-stacked TLG on graphite. We observe an approximately linear magnetic-field scaling of valley splitting and spin splitting in the ABC-stacked TLG. Our experiment indicates that the spin splitting decreases dramatically with increasing the LL index. When the lowest LL is partially filled, we find an obvious enhancement of the spin splitting, attributing to strong many-body effects. Moreover, we observe linear energy scaling of the inverse lifetime of quasiparticles, providing an additional evidence for the strong electron-electron interactions in the ABC-stacked TLG. These results imply that interesting broken-symmetry states and novel electron correlated effects could emerge in the ABC-stacked TLG in the presence of high magnetic fields.

[Increased serum soluble-endoglin level and its clinical significance in antiphospholipid syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

To detect the serum levels of soluble endothelial glycoprotein endoglin (s-Eng) in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and to evaluate the correlation between s-Eng levels and clinical features and laboratory parameters.

METHODS

The levels of serum s-Eng were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 139 patients with APS, 44 patients with SLE but no APS, 37 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), 23 patients with Bechet's disease (BD), 22 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and 22 persistent anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) positive individuals without SLE or APS (simply aCL positive group) and 87 health controls (HC) without any auto-immune diseases. These APS patients included 64 primary APS patients and 75 APS patients secondary to SLE.The correlation between the clinical data, laboratory parameters, and serum s-Eng levels were analyzed.Independent samples t test, paired t test, Chi-square Test, Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson's χ² test were used for statistical analyses.

RESULTS

(1) The serum levels of s-Eng were significantly higher in the patients with APS whether primary or secondary to SLE than in the health controls and simply aCL positive group and the patients with other autoimmune diseases, including SLE, pSS, BD and SSc (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the serum s-Eng levels between simply aCL positive group and health controls [(5.17±2.00) mg/L vs. (5.04±1.11) mg/L, P>0.05]. (2) The best cut-off value for the diagnosis of APS was no less than 8.37 mg/L as mean ± 3SD value, with the sensitivity at 0.772 and the specificity at 0.928. The Youden index was 0.700. These results indicated good validity of s-Eng as a diagnostic marker for APS. (3) The proportions of artery thrombosis and pathological pregnancy were higher in the group of s-Eng-positive APS patients than that in s-Eng-negative group (46/81 vs. 19/58, 29/65 vs. 10/44, respectively, all P<0.05). The levels of PLT were lower in the group of s-Eng-positive APS patients (72.00×10⁹/L vs. 119.00×10⁹/L, P<0.001). (4) The proportions of the presence (93.83% vs. 37.93%, P<0.001) and titer (61.70 U/mL vs. 15.45 U/mL, P<0.001) of aCL were both higher in the group of s-Eng-positive APS patients than in s-Eng-negative group. The proportions of the presence (61.73% vs. 43.10%, P<0.05) and titer (33.48 U/mL vs.17.40 U/mL, P<0.05) of anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibody were both higher in the group of s-Eng-positive APS patients than in s-Eng-negative group too.

CONCLUSION

s-Eng serum levels were significantly increased in the patients with APS, and it may play a role as acomplementary serological marker for the diagnosis and risk prediction of APS.

[Increased serum C-C chemokine ligand 19 levels correlated with B cell abnormalities in systemic lupus erythematosus]

OBJECTIVE

To detect the levels of serum C-C chemokine ligand 19 (CCL19) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to evaluate the correlation between CCL19 expression and clinical features and laboratory parameters, trying to reveal the possible role of CCL19 in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus.

METHODS

The levels of serum CCL19 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 90 patients with SLE and 30 healthy controls. These SLE patients included 75 patients who received treatment with glucocorticoids and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) and 15 patients without therapy. The frequencies of peripheral blood B cells and the B cell subsets were assessed in the patients with SLE by flow cytometry. The correlation between the clinical data, laboratory parameters, B cell subset frequencies and serum CCL19 levels were analyzed. Indepen-dent samples t test, paired t test, Pearson and Spearman correlation were used for statistical analyses.

RESULTS

The levels of CCL19 were markedly higher in the SLE patients without therapy and the patients with therapy than in the health controls[(596.25±409.19) ng/L and (422.90±395.84) ng/L vs. (157.79±125.23) ng/L, all P<0.001]. Serum CCL19 levels in the SLE patients without therapy were higher than the SLE patients who accepted glucocorticoids and DMARD treatment (P<0.05). The levels of serum CCL19 were positively correlated with anti-double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA), anti-nucleosome antibody (AnuA), IgA, IgG and IgM (r=0.38, P=0.007; r=0.332, P=0.029; r=0.519, P=0.007; r=0.461, P=0.018, respectively). Serum CCL19 levels in the SLE patients with photosensitivity, arthritis and secondary Sjögren's syndrome were higher than the SLE patients without photosensitivity, arthritis and secondary Sjögren's syndrome, respectively [(562.25±399.12) ng/L, (565.6±435.24) ng/L and (694.9±531.02) ng/L vs. (394.7±281.42) ng/L, (385.90±325.33) ng/L and (424.8±305.46) ng/L, all P<0.05]. The levels of serum CCL19 were positively correlated with the percentage of CD27-B cells and CD27-IgD-double-negative memory B cells (r=0.519, P=0.007; r=0.461, P=0.018, respectively). However, the levels of serum CCL19 were negatively correlated with the percentage of CD27⁺ memory B cells and CD27⁺IgD^- switched memory B cells (r=-0.433, P=0.027; r=-0.616, P=0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The increased serum CCL19 levels in SLE patients were associated with the production of autoantibodies, and CCL19 might be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE by disturbing the homeostasis of B cell subsets.

Co-occurrence of autistic and schizotypal traits and its association with emotional and psychosocial function in Chinese college students

Empirical findings suggest an overlap between autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD). Co-occurring autistic and positive schizotypal traits may have a moderating effect on behaviour and cognition. This study attempted to examine the co-occurrence rate of autistic and schizotypal traits in otherwise healthy college students and to test the moderating effect of co-occurring autistic and schizotypal traits on executive function, emotion processing and social function. Eight hundred and sixty-four participants took part in the present study. The results showed that the co-occurrence rate of autistic and schizotypal trait was 3.4% at baseline and 2.4% at one-year follow-up. The interaction between autistic traits and schizotypal traits was associated with better executive functioning and social functioning but poorer emotional expression.

[Value of integrated pancreatic and biliary stents for prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis]

Objective: To investigate the value of integrated pancreatic and biliary stents for prevention of post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis. Methods: The clinical data of patients whom had pancreatic stents for prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis from December 2013 to October 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical effect and complication were compared between straight pancreatic stents group and integrated pancreatic and biliary stents group. Results: A total of 214 patients had pancreatic stents for prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis. Among them, 139 of the patients received a straight pancreatic stents with the average operation time of 62.1±9.8 min and 75 patients received the integrated pancreatic and biliary stents with the average operation time of 67.2±12.7 min. The average operation time was statistically significantly different (P=0.001). Straight stents group was found to have higher incidence of pancreatic stents proximal migration and spontaneous abscission than integrated pancreatic and biliary stents group (8.6% vs 0, P=0.009; 12.9% vs 1.3%, P=0.004). There was no significant difference in the incidence of acute pancreatitis or hyperamylasemia between the two groups (3.6% vs 2.7%, P=1.000; 5.0% vs 4.0%, P=1.000). A total of 123 patients in the straight stents group received a second ERCP to remove the pancreatic stents in 1 to 8 weeks after ERCP, and 2 patients had acute pancreatitis and 3 patients had high amylase, while there was no complication happened after the remove of integrated pancreatic and biliary stents in one week after ERCP. Conclusion: The clinical effect of integrated pancreatic and biliary stents for the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis is better than straight pancreatic stents.

[Clinical significance of serum C-C chemokine ligand 19 levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the serum level of C-C chemokine ligand 19 (CCL19) and its clinical significance in rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODS

The serum CCL19 levels in both rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and health controls were detected by ELISA. The proportion of peripheral blood B cells and memory B cell subsets were also detected in some patients. Then the clinical and laboratory data of the patients were collected. The CCL19 levels in patients with different clinical features were analyzed. And the correlation between the clinical data, laboratory parameters, B cell subsets proportion and serum CCL19 levels were also analyzed. Independent samples t test, paired t test, Pearson and Spearman correlation were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The levels of CCL19 was higher in the RA patients than the health controls (P<0.05). The serum CCL19 levels were decreased in the RA patients who accepted disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) treatment for 6 months (P<0.001). Serum CCL19 levels were correlated with the titers of both rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody (r=0.42, P=0.002; r=0.33, P=0.013), but not with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) (P>0.05). The levels of CCL19 were higher in the serum positive (RF and anti-CCP antibody) patients, but there were no differences between low and high disease activity RA, as well as early and non-early RA. There was no correlation between the serum CCL19 levels and the proportion of B cells as well as memory B subsets. All the proportion of peripheral blood CD27+ memory B cell subsets in RA was lower than the healthy controls, including CD27+IgD+, CD27+IgD- and CD27+ B cells.

CONCLUSION

The increased serum CCL19 levels in RA patients are associated with the activity of B cells, so CCL19 might predict whether the RA type is a B cell mediated RA, and specify the treatment directions for the rheumatologist.

[Clinical significance of serum C-C chemokine ligand 19 levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the serum level of C-C chemokine ligand 19 (CCL19) and its clinical significance in rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODS

The serum CCL19 levels in both rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and health controls were detected by ELISA. The proportion of peripheral blood B cells and memory B cell subsets were also detected in some patients. Then the clinical and laboratory data of the patients were collected. The CCL19 levels in patients with different clinical features were analyzed. And the correlation between the clinical data, laboratory parameters, B cell subsets proportion and serum CCL19 levels were also analyzed. Independent samples t test, paired t test, Pearson and Spearman correlation were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The levels of CCL19 was higher in the RA patients than the health controls (P<0.05). The serum CCL19 levels were decreased in the RA patients who accepted disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) treatment for 6 months (P<0.001). Serum CCL19 levels were correlated with the titers of both rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody (r=0.42, P=0.002; r=0.33, P=0.013), but not with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) (P>0.05). The levels of CCL19 were higher in the serum positive (RF and anti-CCP antibody) patients, but there were no differences between low and high disease activity RA, as well as early and non-early RA. There was no correlation between the serum CCL19 levels and the proportion of B cells as well as memory B subsets. All the proportion of peripheral blood CD27+ memory B cell subsets in RA was lower than the healthy controls, including CD27+IgD+, CD27+IgD- and CD27+ B cells.

CONCLUSION

The increased serum CCL19 levels in RA patients are associated with the activity of B cells, so CCL19 might predict whether the RA type is a B cell mediated RA, and specify the treatment directions for the rheumatologist.

Near-infrared Ag2Se quantum dots with distinct absorption features and high fluorescence quantum yields

Near-infrared Ag₂Se QDs with distinct absorption features ranging between 830–954 nm and fluorescence quantum yields up to 23.4% were controllably synthesized, and the molar extinction coefficients of the Ag₂Se QDs were determined.

Broad autism phenotype features of Chinese parents with autistic children and their associations with severity of social impairment in probands

BACKGROUND

Parents of children with autism have higher rates of broad autism phenotype (BAP) features than parents of typically developing children (TDC) in Western countries. This study was designed to examine the rate of BAP features in parents of children with autism and the relationship between parental BAP and the social impairment of their children in a Chinese sample.

METHODS

A total of 299 families with autistic children and 274 families with TDC participated in this study. Parents were assessed using the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ), which includes self-report, informant-report, and best-estimate versions. Children were assessed using the Chinese version of the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS).

RESULTS

Parents of children with autism were significantly more likely to have BAP features than were parents of TDC; mothers and fathers in families with autistic children had various BAP features. The total scores of the informant and best-estimate BAPQ versions for fathers were significantly associated with their children's SRS total scores in the autism group, whereas the total scores of the three BAPQ versions for mothers were significantly associated with their children's SRS total scores in the TDC group. In the autism group, the total SRS scores of children with "BAP present" parents (informant and best-estimate) were higher than the total SRS scores of children with"BAP absent" parents. In the TDC group, the total SRS scores of children with "BAP present" parents were higher than the total SRS scores of children with"BAP absent" parents (best-estimate).

CONCLUSIONS

Parents of autistic children were found to have higher rates of BAP than parents of TDC in a sample of Chinese parents. The BAP features of parents are associated with their children's social functioning in both autism families and TDC families, but the patterns of the associations are different.

Screening of differentially-expressed genes in the muscles of rabbit breeds with expression profile chip

The molecular mechanism underlying muscle development in rabbits is not well-understood. In the current study, differentially-expressed genes were scanned using an expression profile chip in New Zealand white rabbits (introduced breed) and Fujian yellow rabbits (local breed), and some of the genes were tested using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The amplification results were consistent with the microarray data. Fourteen and 13 genes involved in muscle development were identified in the dorsal longissimus and leg muscles, respectively. Myh6, Myh7, Myh7b, Myo5b, Tnnc1, Tpm3, and Acta2 were scanned in the longissimus and leg muscles. Thus, these genes may be involved in muscle fiber formation and muscle development in rabbits. This study provides a theoretical basis for improving meat quality, as well as for the future development and utilization of local meat rabbit breeds.

Employment and financial burden of families with preschool children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders in urban China: results from a descriptive study

BACKGROUND

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects many aspects of family life, such as social and economic burden. Little investigation of this phenomenon has been carried out in China. We designed this study to evaluate the employment and financial burdens of families with ASD-diagnosed preschoolers.

METHODS

Four hundred and fifty-nine nuclear families of children with ASD, 418 with some other disability (OD) and 424 with typically developing (TD) children were recruited for this study. Employment and financial burdens of families were evaluated using a structured questionnaire; logistic regression was used to examine differences in job change measures by group, and ordinal logistic regression was used to investigate the association between household income and group.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight percent of families with ASD children and 19% of families with OD children reported that childcare problems had greatly affected their employment decisions, compared with 9% of families with TD children (p < 0.001). Age of child, parental education and parental age notwithstanding, having a child with ASD and having a child with OD were both associated with increased odds of reporting that childcare greatly interfered with employment (ASD, OR: 15.936; OD, OR: 2.502; all p < 0.001) and decreased the odds of living in a higher-income household (ASD, estimate = -1.271; OD, estimate = -0.569; all p < 0.001). The average loss of annual income associated with having a child with ASD was Chinese RenMinBi (RMB) 44,077 ($7,226), compared with RMB 20,788 ($3,408) for families of OD children.

CONCLUSIONS

ASD is associated with severe employment and financial burdens, much more than for OD, in families with preschool children.

EPHX1 Tyr113His and His139Arg polymorphisms in esophageal cancer risk: a meta-analysis

Microsomal epoxide hydrolase 1 (EPHX1) is an important biological phase II metabolic enzyme that is extensively involved in the metabolism of diverse environmental carcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic amines. Many articles have reported the association between EPHX1 (Tyr113His and His139Arg) polymorphisms and esophageal cancer risk, but the results are controversial. This study aimed to identify the association between EPHX1 (Tyr113His and His139Arg) polymorphisms and esophageal cancer risk by meta-analysis. The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was used to evaluate the strength of the associations. Heterogeneity was estimated by the chi-square-based Q-statistic test and the P value. Meanwhile, the random-effect or fixed-effect model was used according to the between-study heterogeneity. Begg's funnel plot and the Egger test were performed to assess the publication bias of articles. Finally, 8 case-control studies involving 1158 cases and 1868 controls for the Tyr113His polymorphism and 7 case-control studies involving 901 cases and 1615 controls for the His139Arg polymorphism were included in this meta-analysis. Meta-analysis showed that the Tyr113His polymorphism was a stronger power trend towards risk for esophageal cancer using a recessive model (CC versus CT+TT, OR = 1.204, 95%CI = 1.001-1.450, P = 0.049). However, no significant associated risk was found between the His139Arg polymorphism and esophageal cancer. These findings suggest that the Tyr113His polymorphism might be a stronger power trend towards risk for esophageal cancer. However, no evidence was found for the association between the EPHX1 His139Arg polymorphism and esophageal cancer risk.

[Progress in research of the mechanisms related with the hepatic steatosis in the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease]

With the increased morbidity of Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, the pathogenesis of which has become one of the focuses for researchers. Many details need to be clarified. The hepatic steatosis has been taken as the clinical pathological characters and the "golden standard of diagnosis" for the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. More and more studies have shown that the hepatic steatosis (mainly as triglycerides) is the consequence of hepatic lipid metabolism disequilibrium. Generally, the related metabolism pathways including lipid input, lipid uptake, de novo lipogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, fatty acid reesterification, and lipid secretion etc. In this review, we focused on the progress of some key enzymes involved in these pathways in order to clarify the possible molecular mechanisms and the effective targets so that to broad our vision about the prevention and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

[Study of the microwave emissivity characteristics of vegetation over the Northern Hemisphere]

The microwave emissivity is a function of structure, water content, and surface roughness, and all these factors have obvious seasonal variations. In the present study, the half-month averaged emissivities in summer and winter of 2003 over the vegetation of Northern Hemisphere were estimated using Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) combined with IGBP (International Geosphere-Biosphere Project labels) land classification data. Then the emissivities of vegetation land covers at different frequencies, the polarization and their seasonal variations were analyzed respectively. The results show that the emissivities of vegetation increase with the increase in frequencies, and decline with the frequency increasing over snow region. In summer, the vegetation emissivity at V-polarization of 89 GHz is larger than 0.944, and all emissivities are relatively stable and the RMSE of time series emissivity variation is less than 0.007 2. In winter, emissivities decrease over snow covered area, especially for higher frequencies. Furthermore, with the increase in vegetation density, the emissivities increase and emissivity polarization difference decreases.

Attenuation of streptomycin ototoxicity by tetramethylpyrazine and its effect on K⁺ channels in the outer hair cells of guinea pig cochlea

In order to elucidate the mechanism underlying the attenuation of streptomycin ototoxicity by tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), the present study investigated the effect of TMP on the outward K(+) current in the outer hair cells of guinea pig cochlea. Sixty guinea pigs were divided into 6 groups randomly. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) was used to observe the change in thresholds and to evaluate ototoxicity induced by streptomycin. Whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to observe the effect of TMP on outward K(+) current in isolated outer hair cells. The results showed that TMP attenuated the threshold shift caused by streptomycin and increased the amplitudes of Ca(2+)-sensitive K(+) current [I(K(Ca))] in the outer hair cells. The present data suggest that TMP displays anti-ototoxicity induced by streptomycin. The augmented amplitudes of I(K(Ca)) of the outer hair cells induced by TMP may be one of the mechanisms underlying its ototoxicity-attenuating effect.

[Hemodynamics following + Gz stress in dog]

AIM

To investigate the character of hemodynamics following + Gz stress in dog.

METHODS

Nine anesthesia dogs were exposed to 5, 7 and 9 + Gz stress, 90 s at peak G. Each animal was instrumented to measure left ventricular pressure, thoracic aorta pressure, iliac arterial pressure,common carotid artery flow (CCAF) and ECG.

RESULTS

(1) Heart rate, CCAF and blood pressure at any place increased. They were greater than those before + Gz stress (P < 0.05). (2) There were much more arrhythmias following high + Gz stress. Most of arrhythmias were junctional premature beats, ventricular premature beats. 80% arrhythmias occurred within 3 min following + Gz stress. (3) Blood pressure appeared the highest in the second min following + Gz stress.

CONCLUSION

Great hemodynamic disturbance happened following high + Gz stress. There might were reperfusion arrhythmias. Protective measures should been noted following high + Gz stress.

Rapid nongenomic effect of corticosterone on neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in PC12 cells

The effects of corticosterone, a natural glucocorticoid of rat, on the acetylcholine (ACh)-induced current (I(ACh)) were studied in pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells by using whole-cell clamp technique. The I(ACh) proved to be generated through neuronal nicotinic receptor. ACh (30 microM) induced an inward current at a holding potential of -80 mV. When cells were preincubated with corticosterone (0.1-100 microM) for 4 min, an inhibitory effect of corticosterone on the peak of I(ACh) was found. This effect was reversible, concentration-dependent, and voltage-independent. Intracellular application of corticosterone through the patch electrode did not affect the I(ACh). Extracellular application of 10 microM corticosterone neither shifted the dose-response curve of the peak I(ACh) to the right (dissociation constant (K(d)) = 16.5 microM) nor affected its coefficient (1.8) but inhibited the curve amplitudes by approximately 49% in the cells pretreated with corticosterone for 4 min. Bovine serum albumin-conjugated corticosterone (0.1-10 microM) had the inhibition similar to corticosterone. The inhibitor of transcription, actinomycin D (10 microM), and the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide (50 microM), had no effect on the inhibition induced by corticosterone on I(ACh). These results suggest that corticosterone has rapid inhibitory effect on I(ACh) in PC12 cells, which is mediated by a nongenomic mechanism. It indicates that corticosterone binds to the specific site on the outer cell membrane, probably on the neuronal nicotinic receptor-coupled channel, and inhibits the I(ACh) in a noncompetitive manner, thus controlling the immediate catecholamine release from the sympathetic cells.

[Simultaneously analysis of 15 parameters in the patients with the liver-blood deficiency syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

Using HPLC-ED or RIA, we determined simultaneously 15 indexes in 27 patients with the liver-blood deficiency syndrome (LDBD). By means of multivarivate hierarchical cluster analysis and selections of typical variate, the results showed that 15 indexes were classified into 5 groups, and the typical variates of each groups were NE, T3, TXB2, ALD and cGMP. It suggests that LBDS has some pathopysiological characteristics such as decreased functions of sympathetic nerve activation, lower T3 syndrome, imbalance of the active substance regulating cardiovascular function and metabolism of salt and water, and abnormalities second signal substance in cellular membrane.

Effect of forskolin on acetylcholine-induced current in rat pheochromocytoma cells

AIM

To study the effect of forskolin on the nicotinic receptor (NicR) of PC12 cells.

METHODS

The acetylcholine (ACh)-induced current (IACh) was measured on PC12 cells by whole-cell clamp technique.

RESULTS

The IACh could be blocked by d-tubocurarine chloride and atropine had no effect on IACh. Infusion of forskolin (1-50 mumol.L-1) caused an inhibition on IACh, which was reversible, concentration-dependent, and voltage-independent. Preincubation with 8-bromo-adenosine-3', 5'-adenosine monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP), a cell-permeable cAMP analog which preferentially activated cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (CADPK), for 20 min, did not affect the IACh and the inhibitory effect of forskolin. Infusion of 1,9-dideoxyforskolin, an analog of forskolin which did not activate adenyl cyclase, also caused an inhibition on IACh.

CONCLUSION

The inhibitory effect of forskolin on IACh in PC12 cells is not mediated by activating the adenyl cyclase. Probably, the lipophilic forskolin acts via perturbing the plasma membrane lipid structure and altering the function of the NicR.

[Cardiovascular response to high sustained +Gz stress in dogs]

Objective. To investigate features of electrocardiography (ECG) and arterial pressure in dog during and after +Gz stress. Method. Six anesthetized dogs were catheterized for the measurement of ascending aortic pressure (AP) and common iliac arterial pressure (CIAP). A lead of ECG was monitored continuously. Then, dogs were placed supine in rotatable platform on one arm of an 1.7 m radius centrifuge. The animals were exposed serially to acceleration profiles of up to +7 Gz, consisting of a slow onset to peak acceleration, 90 s peak G, and a rapid decline back to control. A recovery time of at least 20 min was allowed after each acceleration profile. Result. (1) The amplitude of P-wave was influenced by the magnitude of the acceleration (2.3 +/- 0.2 mV at rest vs. 4.5 +/- 0.5 mV at +3 Gz, 4.8 +/- 0.3 mV at +5 Gz and 5.3 +/- 0.7 mV at +7 Gz, respectively P<0.05). (2) It appeared that arterial mean pressure increased and pulse pressure decreased in CIAP during high +Gz stress. (3) AP increased greatly after +Gz stress (17.29 +/- 5.59/11.31 +/- 3.86 kPa at rest vs. 27.53 +/- 6.12/20.62 +/- 1.86 kPa 30s after +7 Gz P<0.01). Conclusion. (1) The change of the amplitude of P-wave reflected the atrial displacement which may be the reason of arrhythmia. (2) The perfusion pressure is an important physiological parameter to the cardiovascular dysfunction during high +Gz stress. (3) Greatly higher AP after +Gz stress could be a feature of vascular exhaustion.

[Rapid inhibitory effect of glucocorticoids on ACh-induced current in rat phaeochromocytoma cells]

A rapid effect of glucocorticoids (GC) on acetycholine-induced current in rat phaeochromocytoma (PC12) cells and its possible mechanism were investigated by whole-cell clamp technique. The results are as follows: The acetylcholine-induced current (IACh) of PC12 cells was proved to be generated through nicotinic ACh receptor by pharmacological identification. ACh (30 mumol/L) induced an inward current at a holding potential (Vh) of -80 mV. The inhibitory effect of corticosterone (B) on IACh was weak when 10(-5) mol/L B and ACh were simultaneously applied extracellularly. Pretreatment of PC12 cells with B could augment the inhibitory effect on peak IACh, and this dose-dependent effect was reversible. At the same concentration of GC, the rank of the inhibitory potency was B > dexamethasone (Dex) > hydrocortisone (F). Extracellular application of B-BSA could also inhibit IACh rapidly. Taken together, it is suggested that GC induced rapid inhibitory effects on IACh in PC12 cells are probably mediated by a nongenomic mechanism. The inhibitory effect of various GC on IACh are different.

[The molecular cloning of mouse centromeric DNA (SFA-DNA)]

The centromeric DNA (SFA-DNA) isolated from enriched mouse centromeric preparation has been cloned. The vector adopted for the cloning was ELBL3. About two thousand clones were obtained. The average size of the SFA-DNA inserts was estimated by measuring the inserts obtained from a mixture of 20 radomly picked clones. It was found that the average size of the SFA-DNA inserts is approximately 14 Kb.

[The study of metaphasic chromosome pellicle]

Among 12 antichromosome antisera from scleroderma patients, four were found to be the antisera against the pellicle of metaphase chromosomes. Western blotting with these sera were achieved on the protein bands resolved by SDS-PAGE of the whole cell lysate and nuclear lysate of the ascites cells. The result showed 11 bands of the nuclear lysate reacted with antisera. Moreover, additional 8 were obtained in the whole cell lysate.

[Studies on the centrosome antiserum from a scleroderma patient]

Using ascites cells as screening system and by means of indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, several antisera against centrosome from scleroderma patients were discovered. Since centrosome is chemically complex cellular structure and the autoimmune antiserum is polyclonal, further investigation was made using one of the antisera against centrosome. L929 cultured cells were also employed for the antigen localisation. It was found that the antiserum decorated microtubules, mitotic spindle, centrosome as well as some nuclear structure. Immunoblots of the cell lysate with the antiserum revealed that in addition to the main bands of tubulin there were several less distinct bands. This result confirmed the indirect immunofluorescence observation.

[Fluorescent in situ hybridization of enriched SFA-DNA on pachytene chromosomes in mouse]

In the present study, the primary constrictions of mouse pachytene chromosomes stained with Hoechst 33258, and those stained by indirect immunofluorescence method with CREST antiserum were compared with those hybridized by the probe DNA isolated from the enriched mouse spindle fiber attachments. It was found that the DNA probe hybridized not only with the centromeric regions on synaptonema complexes but also with the DNA of pericentromeric heterochromatin of all autosomes. Moreover, the DNA probe hybridized also with the centromeric regions of both X and Y chromosomes. It was concluded that the DNA isolated from the enriched mouse spindle fiber attachments contains a complete set of the centromeric DNAs of all autosomes, X and Y chromosomes.

[The characteristic of the spindle fiber attachment (SFA) enriched fraction from mouse nuclei]

The characteristics of the particulate mouse centromere enriched fraction from isolated nuclei obtained in our laboratory were investigated by indirect immunofluorescence, test of the activity of microtubule organizing center (MTOC), SDS-PAGE, and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Most of the particles of the fraction are complexes of DNA and kinetochore proteins and show MTOC activity. The DNA isolated from the fraction hybridizes the DNA in the regions of the primary constrictions of all chromosomes of ascite cells. The kinetochore proteins of the proteins isolated from the fraction are mainly those with molecular weight of 55 and 59 KD. It is evident that the fraction obtained is a centromere enriched nuclear fraction as indicated in our previous report.

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness in young students of southern China: relation to respiratory symptoms, diagnosed asthma, and risk factors

A cross sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and asthma in 3067 students aged 11-17 years in an urban and a rural area of Guangzhou (Canton), China. The methods used included a self administered questionnaire, a histamine bronchial provocation test, and allergen skinprick tests. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness was defined as a 20% fall in FEV1 and peak expiratory flow at a provoking dose of histamine (PD20) less than 7.8 mumol on two occasions four weeks apart. The response rate was 98.0% and 99.2% in the two areas. The prevalence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness was 4.1% and of diagnosed asthma 2.4% in the total population. There were no significant differences in prevalence between the urban and the rural area or between boys and girls. The 11-12 year group had a higher prevalence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (7.6%) than the older groups. Of the 125 with bronchial hyperresponsiveness, 12.0% were defined as having severe or moderate (PD20 less than 0.8 mumol), 26% mild (0.9-3.2 mumol), and 62% slight bronchial hyperresponsiveness (3.3-7.8 mumol). The severity of bronchial hyperresponsiveness was closely related to diagnosed asthma, wheezing, and cough, though half the students with bronchial hyperresponsiveness were symptom free. The most common allergens were house dust and house dust mite in the city, and hay dust, pollen, and feathers in the rural area. The odds ratios for having respectively slight, mild or moderate, and severe bronchial hyperresponsiveness were 5.9, 21.0, and 30.4 for atopy; 1.9, 1.9, and 7.3 for early respiratory infection; and 3.1, 2.5, and 5.6 for a history of parental asthma.

Enrichment of the spindle fiber attachments from mouse liver cell nuclei

Spindle fiber attachments (SFAs) were enriched in a fraction of nuclei isolated from mouse livers. The enrichment method combines sonication, treatment with 2 mol/L NaCl and high speed centrifugation. SFA was enriched 27-fold on the average (n = 4) when measured by radioimmunoassay. The basic method offers opportunities for further increases of yield and for the enrichment of SFA of other vertebrates.

Involvement of a nucleolar component, perichromonucleolin, in the condensation and decondensation of chromosomes

A component of the nucleolar material, perichromonucleolin (PCN), was identified by a specific antiserum against nucleoli obtained from a scleroderma patient. The distribution and changes of PCN during the mitotic cycle were followed using this antiserum and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. Based upon the behavior of PCN during mitosis, it could be differentiated into chromosomal and nonchromosomal portions. During prophase the former gradually associates with the surface of the condensing chromosomes and forms the coat or pellicle around the metaphase and anaphase chromosomes. This pellicle PCN is carried by the anaphase chromosomes to the daughter nuclei. During the time from telophase to interphase, the pellicle PCN dissociates from the decondensing chromosomes and is incorporated into the new nucleoli. The nonchromosomal PCN, after the breakdown of the nuclear membrane, distributes in the cytoplasmic region around the condensed chromosomes and diffuses into the cytoplasm during anaphase. Preliminary biochemical analysis by immunoblotting showed that the PCN consists of two main proteins with molecular masses of 36 kDa and 30 kDa.

The demonstration of the spindle fiber attachments in the amphibian liver and sperm nuclei by the sera from scleroderma patients

The isolated liver nuclei and the mature sperm nuclei from Rana nigromaculata and Bufo bufo asiaticus had been investigated by indirect immunofluorescence method with anti serum specific to the spindle fiber attachments (SFAs) from the scleroderma patients with CREST syndrome. It was found that in the isolated liver nuclei and the mature sperm nuclei of these animals there are discrete speckles which bind the antibody specific to the SFAs. The maximum number of these speckles counted in a single sperm nuclei of the frog corresponds with the haploid chromosome number of this animal (n = 13). The haploid chromosome complement of the toad is 11 and the maximum number of the speckles counted in a single sperm nucleus of this species is also 11. These findings suggest that the scleroderma serum can be used to identify the SFAs of the amphibias and the antigens of SFAs are conserved in the mature sperms of these animals. The implication of these conclusions is discussed.

Effect of heterospecific DNA on the development of Rana nigromaculata

Both the DNA of a balancer-bearing species (Cynops orientalis) and that of a non-balancer-bearing species (Rana nigromaculata), when injected into the fertilized eggs of R. nigromaculata, cause some tadpoles derived from the injected eggs to bear a single balancer-like process on the left operculum. Based upon these results, it may be so concluded that the occurrence of the balancer-like process in the tadpole is neither due to genetic transformation, nor due to balancer induction, but rather due to a non-specific developmental effect of DNA.