Establishment of a dried standard pertussis vaccine

Summary The potency of an own Dutch standard pertussis vaccine B was determined by indirect comparison in three stages (B with A; A with U.S.A. Reference no. 5; U.S.A. Reference no. 5 with U.S.A. Standard no. 4) with the U.S.A. Standard no. 4 in the intracerebral mouse-protection test. The values found were checked by direct comparison with U.S.A. Reference no. 4 in Holland and U.S.A. In this way a definitive value of 3.7 units/ml was given to this standard. The reasons are discussed for giving a unit value to a standard, although this unit value cannot be determined accurately in a biological test.     

不同耕作方式对内蒙古旱作农田土壤性状及作物产量的影响

2005—2008年在内蒙古清水河县进行了定位试验,研究了不同耕作方式下土壤微生物量及土壤营养指标、作物产量的年际变化。结果表明:免耕有利于提高土壤微生物量碳、氮、磷含量,2007和2008年不同耕作方式0～10cm土层土壤微生物量均表现为免耕留高茬覆盖>免耕留低茬覆盖>免耕留高茬>免耕留低茬>传统耕作;免耕有利于提高土壤有机质和土壤养分含量,2007和2008年不同耕作方式0～10cm土层土壤有机质和养分含量均表现为免耕留高茬覆盖>免耕留低茬覆盖>免耕留高茬>免耕留低茬>传统耕作,实施免耕的前3年,玉米产量不稳定,甚至造成玉米减产,第4年免耕增产效应有所显现;不同保护性方式下土壤指标与玉米产量之间的相关度较好,通径分析得知土壤全氮、全磷、速效磷及微生物量碳对玉米产量起直接作用,其中尤以土壤微生物量碳的作用最大;免耕有利于改善内蒙古农田旱作区的土壤生态环境,提高土壤肥力。     

Changes in frequencies of variegated leaves in NMU treated tobacco

Summary Seeds of Nicotiana tabacum were allowed to imbibe water for 1 h and were then treated with 5–20 mM N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU) for 1 h. Seedlings were planted out separately and leaves no. 1–6 were scored individually after expansion was complete: frequencies of leaves with mutant sectors and the percentage of leaf area that was mutant were determined for the numbered leaves. Treatment with 5 mM NMU gave few mutant plants but after 10–20 mM NMU 50–98% of plants were mutant. The frequency of mutant leaves increased from leaf no. 1 to leaves no. 3–4; as much as a 5.6-fold increase, from leaf no. 1 to no. 3 was found. There appears to be differential sensitivity to NMU: it is lower in the initial cells for leaf no. 1 than in the initials for leaves no. 3 or 4. Leaves no. 1–4 arise from four different groups of initial cells: mutations appearing in two or more of leaves no. 1–4 must, therefore, arise independently of one another. From mutants found in leaves no. 1–4 it is estimated that the mean number of mutations per seedling was 2.68 after treatment with 20 mM NMU. Mean percentage of leaf surface area occupied by mutant sectors increased from 14% to 29.4% as NMU concentration increased from 10 to 20 mM. It also increased significantly from leaf no. 1 to leaves no. 3–6 after treatment with 15 or 20 mM NMU but not after 10 mM NMU: this suggests that mutagen treatment may affect the formation of mutant homoplasmon cells and their contribution to leaf primordia.     

Association of the encapsulation of Bacillus anthracis with a 60 megadalton plasmid

Virulent typical strains (Shikan, Morioka, Shizuoka) and Pasteur vaccine strains (no. 1, no. 2-H, no. 2-17JB) of Bacillus anthracis harboured two plasmid species with molecular masses of 110 MDal and 60 MDal. All of the 110 MDal plasmids isolated from the various strains showed indistinguishable patterns of digestion with restriction endonucleases. All the 60 MDal plasmids were also indistinguishable. Strain Davis, which is encapsulated but is asporogenous and avirulent, harboured only the 60 MDal plasmid while three non-encapsulated vaccine strains (34F2, Smith, Mukteswer) harboured only the 110 MDal plasmid. Four non-encapsulated variant strains obtained from the encapsulated strains Shikan, Pasteur no. 1, Pasteur no. 2-17JB and Davis had lost the 60 MDal plasmid, suggesting that encapsulation of B. anthracis may be associated with the 60 MDal plasmid.     

不同耕作方式对内蒙古旱作农田土壤水热状况的影响

为了研究免耕留茬覆盖和传统耕作土壤水热状况的差异,20052008年在内蒙古呼和浩特市清水河县进行定位试验,结果表明:(1)免耕留茬覆盖能有效的调节土壤温度,出现高温时抑制温度上升,低温时抑制温度降低的现象;土壤温度24h变化的振幅随着土壤深度的增加呈现逐渐减小的趋势,表层010cm的变化幅度最大,变化范围为17.634℃;不同耕作方式的土壤温度均从09:00开始升高,至15:00达到最高值,之后缓慢下降,到06:00达到最低值;土壤温度随季节动态变化的趋势,受制于气候。(2)测定期内免耕留高茬覆盖平均土壤含水量较传统耕作增加了7.37%,免耕留低茬覆盖较传统耕作增加了5.93%;燕麦苗期,不同耕作方式的土壤含水量随土层深度增加,呈增大的态势。分蘖期,不同耕作方土壤含水量在020cm呈下降趋势,之后逐渐升高。燕麦花期,不同耕作方土壤含水量在040cm呈下降趋势,之后逐渐上升,至80100cm土层深度达到最大值;土壤含水量主要受季节影响,随降雨量变化而变化。(3)免耕留茬覆盖耕作方式增加土壤有机质和土壤含水量,其热容量增大,因此能调节和保持温度变化平缓。     

Some distinctive characteristics of the alkaline phosphatase of Serratia marcescens.

A mutant strain of Serratia marcescens produces a constitutive enzyme (phosphatase F), which differs from the alkaline phosphatase of Escherichia coli in the following characteristics: one enzyme species with higher mobility on electrophoresis, less heat stability, no rapid reactivation following exposure to high hydrogen ion concentrations, no hybridization with E. coli enzyme in vitro, little activation at increased ionic strength, greater sensitivity to EDTA inhibition, and no cross reaction of rabbit anti-serum with the E. coli enzyme.     

The hypothalamo-hypophysial system of the lemming Dicrostonyx torquatus Pallas. IV. Influence of experimental animal cooling on the ultrastructure of the hypothalamo-posthypophysial neurosecretory system

The reaction of the hypothalamo-hypophysial neurosecretory system (HHNS) of lemmings to cold (+4 degrees C) was studied by the method of electron microscopy. The animals were kept in cages with nest, but with no wheel to allow running; in cages with a wheel, but with no nest; in cages with no nest and no wheel. No changes in the HHNS reaction were revealed under cold stimulation, if the animals were not deprived of motor activity (running in a wheel), or could hide in a nest. In case of no nest and restricted motor activity exposition to low temperature led to a progressive activation of neurosecretory cells of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei, and finally to their exhaustion and degeneration. The intensity of the HHNS reaction to cold is shown to depend on the initial state of the system which varies according to the stages of population cycle. The present study gives grounds to put forward the hypothesis that the adaptation of the Dicrostonyx torquatus Pallas to cold is made possible due to maximal utilization of ecological conditions and behavioral reactions.     

早期伤口切开对血循毒蛇咬伤患者预后的影响

目的探讨血循毒类毒蛇咬伤患者早期伤口切开对预后的影响。方法回顾性分析我院2011年3月~2014年3月诊治的血循毒类毒蛇咬伤患者223例的临床资料,总结并比较其临床特点及预后。结果本组患者轻度肿胀97例中,伤后12h内切开21例,未溃疡12例,Ⅰ°溃疡7例,Ⅱ°溃疡2例;晚期切开或未切开76例,未溃疡15例,Ⅰ°溃疡41例,Ⅱ°溃疡16例,Ⅲ°溃疡4例。中度肿胀患者85例中,伤后12h内切开32例,未溃疡8例,Ⅰ°溃疡21例,Ⅱ°溃疡2例,Ⅲ°溃疡1例;晚期切开或未切开53例,未溃疡6例,Ⅰ°溃疡16例,Ⅱ°溃疡24例,Ⅲ°溃疡7例。重度肿胀患者41例中,伤后12h内切开17例,Ⅰ°溃疡11例,Ⅱ°溃疡4例,Ⅲ°溃疡2例;晚期切开或未切开24例,Ⅰ°溃疡2例,Ⅱ°溃疡6例,Ⅲ°溃疡16例。在蛇伤后12h内切开的患者坏死溃疡的形成、肿胀程度的改善均明显优于晚期切开或未切开的患者,差异有显著统计学意义(P0.05)。结论随着患者凝血功能的改善,早期伤口切开对血循毒类毒蛇伤患者局部伤口状况有较好的改善作用。     

胃肠减压对胃癌患者远端胃切除术围手术期效果的影响

目的:探讨胃癌患者远端胃大部切除术后放置鼻胃管引流的短期效果。方法:选取我科从2010年9月1日到2013年3月1日间318例胃癌行远端胃切除的患者,随机分为术后留置鼻胃管(NGT组)或不留置组(no NGT组),比较两组间围手术期的短期效果。结果:158例患者纳入NGT组,而160例患者纳入no NGT组。两组间在术后腹胀、持续呕吐、吻合口瘘、发热、肺部感染、伤口感染的发生率上无统计学差异(P0.05)。进一步分析65例既往有腹部手术史的患者(NGT组34例vs no NGT组31例),NGT组腹胀发生率(5.88%vs 29.03%,P0.05)显著低于no NGT组。结论:对于胃癌患者行远端胃切除术后不推荐放置鼻胃管;而对于既往有腹部手术史的患者,术后放置胃管可以降低腹胀的发生。     

耕作方式对黑土硬度和容重的影响

以吉林省德惠市8年黑土田间定位试验的小区土壤为研究对象,对不同耕作方式下土壤硬度和容重进行研究.结果表明:免耕增加了土壤硬度,主要表现在2.5 ～17.5 cm土层;在玉米连作和玉米-大豆轮作下,苗眼处免耕处理的最大土壤硬度分别为2816和1931 kPa,秋翻处理下分别为2660和2051 kPa,对作物生长均没有限制作用;秋翻处理的土壤硬度曲线随垄形而变化,免耕处理的土壤硬度曲线起伏较小.与秋翻相比,免耕显著增加了5～20 cm土层的土壤容重.5 ～ 30 cm土层的土壤容重在免耕处理下变化幅度较小,在秋翻处理下随土壤深度的增加逐渐增大.土壤容重与土壤硬度之间相关性不显著.     

Statistical Analysis of Chromatid Interference

The nonrandom occurrence of crossovers along a single strand during meiosis can be caused by either chromatid interference, crossover interference or both. Although crossover interference has been consistently observed in almost all organisms since the time of the first linkage studies, chromatid interference has not been as thoroughly discussed in the literature, and the evidence provided for it is inconsistent. In this paper with virtually no restrictions on the nature of crossover interference, we describe the constraints that follow from the assumption of no chromatid interference for single spore data. These constraints are necessary consequences of the assumption of no chromatid interference, but their satisfaction is not sufficient to guarantee no chromatid interference. Models can be constructed in which chromatid interference clearly exists but is not detectable with single spore data. We then extend our analysis to cover tetrad data, which permits more powerful tests of no chromatid interference. We note that the traditional test of no chromatid interference based on tetrad data does not make full use of the information provided by the data, and we offer a statistical procedure for testing the no chromatid interference constraints that does make full use of the data. The procedure is then applied to data from several organisms. Although no strong evidence of chromatid interference is found, we do observe an excess of two-strand double recombinations, i.e., negative chromatid interference.     

Mapping of functional and antigenic domains of the alpha 4 protein of herpes simplex virus 1.

Monoclonal antibodies to alpha 4, the major regulatory protein of herpes simplex virus 1, have been shown to differ in their effects on the binding of the protein to its DNA-binding site in the promoter-regulatory domain of an alpha gene. To map the epitopes, we expressed truncated genes in transient expression systems. All 10 monoclonal antibodies tested reacted with the N-terminal 288-amino-acid polypeptide. To map the epitopes more precisely, 29 15-mer oligopeptides, overlapping by five amino acids at each end, were synthesized and reacted with the monoclonal antibodies. The nine reactive monoclonal antibodies were mapped to seven sites. Of the two monoclonal antibodies which blocked the binding of alpha 4 to DNA, one (H950) reacted with oligopeptide no. 3 near the N terminal of the protein, whereas the second (H942) reacted with oligopeptide no. 23 near the C terminus of the 288-amino-acid polypeptide. In further tests, oligopeptide no. 19 was found to compete with two host proteins, designated as alpha H1 and alpha H2-alpha H3, for binding to DNA as well as to retard DNA in a band shift assay, whereas oligopeptides no. 26, 27, and 28 enhanced the binding of alpha 4 to DNA. Moreover, oligopeptide no. 27 was also found to retard DNA in a band shift assay. Polypeptide no. 19 competed with alpha 4 for binding to DNA, whereas no. 27 neither enhanced nor competed with the binding of the host polypeptide alpha H1 to its binding site in the promoter-regulatory domain of an alpha gene, but did enhance the binding of the alpha H2-alpha H3 protein to its binding site. In contrast to these results, the truncated alpha 4 polypeptide, 825 amino acids long, bound to the viral DNA, whereas a shorter, 519-amino-acid-long, truncated polypeptide did not. The 825-amino-acid polypeptide was previously shown to induce in transient expression of a late (gamma 2) viral gene.     

Effects of sandy substrate and light on hypermelanosis of the blind side in cultured Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

Rearing experiments were carried out to clarify the effects of sandy substrate and light irradiation on hypermelanosis of the blind side (the staining type of ambicoloration) in cultured Japanese flounder. Fish were reared in three experimental conditions: (1) no sandy substrate into which fish could bury themselves and with upward light irradiating their blind sides, (2) no sandy substrate and no upward light, and (3) sandy substrate (transparent glass sand) with upward light irradiation. Pigmented areas on the blind side were measured by an image analyzing system. Flounder from the third condition (sandy substrate with light irradiation) showed the lowest pigmentation on the blind side. In contrast, fish from the second condition (no sandy substrate and no light irradiation), showed the highest pigmentation coverage. These results indicate that sandy substrate on the bottom in culture tanks is more important than light irradiation as a factor affecting hypermelanosis of the blind side in cultured Japanese flounder.     

A comparison of volatile components from the peel of Ohshima no. 1 with its parent cultivars

A total of 20 volatile organic compounds from the peel of citrus fruit Ohshima no. 1 were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The amount of limonene in Ohshima no. 1 was lower than those in the parent cultivars, Miyauchi iyokan and Yoshiura ponkan, whereas those of gamma-terpinene, linalool, sabinene, p-cymene, and terpinolene in Ohshima no. 1 were somewhat higher. However, comparing the results, it was found that volatile components from both parent cultivars were present in the peel of Ohshima no. 1. Principal component analysis (PCA) of data obtained with an electronic nose indicated that the odor of Ohshima no. 1 showed a clear upward displacement as compared with those of parent cultivars in PC1. The oils of Miyauchi iyokan and Yoshiura ponkan showed displacement in a negative direction, and a positive one in PC2. By PCA analysis, it was found that the odor quality of Ohshima no. 1 was very different from those of the parent cultivars.     

Biological Control of Carrot Black Rot

Diseased carrot seeds were treated with selected micro-organisms isolated from soils, carrot seeds and tap roots. The effects of those antagonists on the control of Alternaria radicina were evaluated by growing-on tests on water agar, filter paper, vermiculite and in a potting medium (BVB no. 4). The germination percentage, emergence percentage and the disease severity of those carrot seeds treated with Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia no.229 were significantly (P=0.05) differed from the non-treated seeds and the seed treated with other antagonists. The effects of B. cepacia no.229 in promoting seed emergence and controlling disease were as good as those seeds treated with iprodione (100 p.p.m.). Black rot lesions on carrot tap roots were significantly reduced (P=0.05) in size when roots were treated with B. cepacia no 229 or Bacillus amyloliquefaciens no. 224 compared to the nontreated roots. Also, B. cepacia no. 229 significantly (P=0.05) reduced black rot on the foliage of carrot compared to check.     

Mutants of d-aminopeptidase with increased thermal stability

Mutant d-aminopeptidases from Ochrobactrum anthropi with increased thermal stability were obtained by random mutagenesis. One of the mutants, no. 65, was derived from E. coli cells transformed with DNA treated with sodium nitrite. The remaining activity of the purified mutant ezyme no. 65 after heat treatment at 52°C for 10 min was 20% that of the untreated mutant enzyme no. 65, whereas the native enzyme showed 5% of the untreated native enzyme activity after the same treatment. The gene for the mutant enzyme no. 65 was sequenced and it was found that Gly155 and Gly279 in the native enzyme were replaced by Ser and Asp, respectively. Five mutants carrying one or two mutations were generated from the native gene by site-specific mutagenesis. The enhancement of the thermal stability of mutant enzyme no. 65 was attributed to the substitution of Gly155 to Ser.     

Occurrence of fatigue during sets of static squat jumps performed at a variety of loads

Research has identified that the optimal power load for static squat jumps (with no countermovement) is lower than the loads usually recommended for power training. Lower loads may permit the performance of additional repetitions before the onset of fatigue compared with heavier loads; therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the point of fatigue during squat jumps at various loads (0, 20, 40, 60% 1-repetition maximum [1RM]). Seventeen professional rugby league players performed sets of 6 squat jumps (with no countermovement), using 4 loading conditions (0, 20, 40, and 60% of 1RM back squat). Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in force, velocity, power, and displacement between repetitions, for the 0, 20, and 40% loading conditions. The 60% condition showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) in peak force between repetitions; however, velocity (1.12 + 0.10 and 1.18 + 0.11 m·s(-1)), power (3,385 + 343 and 3,617 + 396 W) and displacement (11.13 + 2.31 and 11.85 + 2.16 cm) were significantly (p < 0.02) lower during repetition 6 compared with repetition 2. These findings indicate that when performing squat jumps (with no countermovement) with a load <40% 1RM back squat, up to >6 repetitions can be completed without inducing fatigue and a minimum of 4-6 repetitions should be performed to achieve peak power output. When performing squat jumps (with no countermovement) with a load equal to the 60% 1RM only, 5 repetitions should be performed to minimize fatigue and ensure maintenance of velocity and power.     

Studies on the mechanism of induction of hypercholesterolemia in rabbits by high dietary levels of amino acids

Increasing the proportion of an amino acid mixture corresponding to casein in a low-fat, cholesterol-free, semipurified diet fed to rabbits causes a progressive increase in serum total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and the effect appears to be due primarily to the essential amino acids in the mixture. Our recent studies have also shown that the variations in serum cholesterol in response to different levels of the amino acid mixture are not associated with any changes in fecal excretion of cholesterol or bile acids. Further attempts to understand the mechanism of action of dietary amino acids on serum cholesterol levels have shown the following: (1) no correlation with levels of plasma amino acids, either in the fasting or postprandial state: (2) no correlation with serum levels of thyroid hormones: (3) no relationship to activity of hepatic or intestinal microsomal hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase: (4) no corresponding effects on the activities of cholesterol esterifying enzymes of intestinal mucosa: and (5) no correlation with the degree of esterification of cholesterol in very low or low density lipoproteins. Further studies are required to identify the specific amino acids responsible for the hypercholesterolemic effects and to determine the mechanisms involved.     

Effect of imipramine on the circadian rhythm of plasma melatonin in unipolar depression

The authors took a series of 20 serum samples over a 24-hr period for measurement of melatonin in four men and six women with Major Depressive Disorder (DSM-III), at baseline (depressed) and after 4 weeks on imipramine (150-200 mg/day) after achieving clinical remission. After successful treatment with imipramine, 24-hr secretion and peak levels of melatonin were significantly higher than at baseline, with no difference in time of peak level. Testing after 2 weeks of treatment (four subjects), with only a partial or no clinical response, revealed no differences compared with baseline. The therapeutic efficacy of imipramine may be associated with an enhancement of noradrenergic activity.     

Evaluation of the effectiveness of antibacterial therapy

It is recommended to estimate the clinical effect of antibacterial therapy in patients with different purulent inflammatory complications with an account of the data on both the clinical and bacteriological examinations. The full affect consisted in disappearance of the clinical signs and complete bacteriological sanation of the purulent inflammatory foci. The partial effect was shown by a marked decrease in the clinical manifestations without complete bacteriological sanation of the foci. The ill effect was evidenced by clinical picture having no time course and no favourable time course in bacteriological tests. No effect was indicated by deterioration of the clinical picture and no favourable time course in the bacteriological tests.