Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in the South American opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) from the city of São Paulo, Brazil

Antibodies to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii were assayed in sera of 396 opossums (Didelphis marsupialis) from the city of S?o Paulo, Brazil. Antibodies to N. caninum were assayed using the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Antibodies (IFAT, approximately 1:25) to N. caninum were found in 84 opossums (D. marsupialis) in titers of 1:25 in 46, 1:50 in 20, 1:100 in 17, and 1:400 in 1. Antibodies to T. gondii were assayed with the modified agglutination test (MAT) and the IFAT. Antibodies to T. gondii (MAT, approximately 1:25) were found in 82 (20.4%) of the 396 opossums, in titers of 1:25 in 24, 1:50 in 26, 1:100 in 18, 1:200 in 13, and 1:800 in 1. The IFAT antibodies to T. gondii were found in 148 of 396 opossums, in titers of 1:16 in 41, 1:32 in 23, 1:64 in 13, 1:128 in 6, 1:256 in 20, 1:512 in 17, 1:1,024 in 10, 1:2,048 in 10, 1:4,096 in 7, and 1:8,192 in 1. This is the first report of N. caninum and T. gondii infections in D. marsupialis.     

The effect of oestradiolum benzoicum and progesterone on AChE activity in the nerves of the female reproductive system of immature pigs

The present paper describes the effect of exogenous oestradiol and progesterone on the AChE activity in nerves of the ovary, oviduct, uterus, and vagina, and on morphological features of the AChE-positive nerves of these organs in sexually immature pigs. Studies were carried out on 30 sexually immature pigs, 37 to 43 kg in weight, at the age of 115 to 125 d, of the BWP (Big White Polish) race. The animals were divided into 4 groups. Group I (n = 6) constituted the control. Animals in group II (n = 8) received oestradiolum benzoicum. Those in group III (n = 8) were given progesterone, and in group IV (n = 8) oestradiol and progesterone. Oestradiol injections resulted in a 1.2-fold increase of AChE activity in the ovary, 1.3-fold in the oviduct, 1.7-fold in the uterine horn, and a 1.2-fold decrease of this activity in the cervix, while no differences were noted in the vagina. Progesterone injections did not affect AChE activity in the ovary, while a 1.1-fold increase was observed in the oviduct, 1.2-fold in the uterine horn and 1.1-fold in the cervix compared to the control. A 1.1-fold decrease of this activity was observed in the vagina. Joint injections of oestradiol and progesterone resulted in about a 1.4-fold increase of AChE activity in the ovary, 1.3-fold in the oviduct, 1.4-fold in the uterine horn, 1.6-fold in the vagina, while no changes were observed in the cervix. The results suggest the effect of the administered hormones upon AChE activity in the organs under study, mainly in the oviduct, uterine horn, and vagina. They also point to the possibility of a synergic effect of oestradiol and progesterone as regards to an increase of the activity.     

基于芽苗砧嫁接油茶砧穗创伤后内源激素动态变化分析

为研究油茶(Camellia oleifera A)嫁接时穗条和砧木创伤后内源激素动态变化规律,解析影响砧穗嫁接面愈合的生理机制,为油茶砧穗愈合生长机理提供理论支持。以树龄6年的长林18号和53号的穗条和实生砧木为材料,按照芽苗砧嫁接方法切割穗条S0(0 min)、S10(10 min)、S40(40 min)和砧木茎段Z0(0 min)、Z10(10 min)后,利用液质联用法(HPLC-MS)测定吲哚乙酸(IAA)、脱落酸(ABA)、反式玉米素(TZR)、玉米素(Zeatin)、水杨酸(SA)和茉莉酸(JA)含量,分析不同时间段内源激素变化及品种间差异的关系。结果显示:创伤后18号的TZR、Zeatin和SA含量总体高于53号;18号IAA、SA和JA逐渐下降;TZR和Zeatin分别在S10和S0达最高值后下降;ABA在S10达最高值。53号IAA和JA爱S10达最高值后下降;TZR、Zeatin和SA在S10达低值后逐渐上升;ABA在S0达高值后逐渐下降。砧木茎段创伤前后激素含量除JA外18号高于53号;两品种Z0时激素含量下降,Z10后上升,仅53号ABA和SA含量在Z0达高值后下降。砧木茎段和根部激素含量在品种间除JA外18号高于53号,茎段的IAA、ABA高于根部,其他激素为根部高于茎段。激素比值在品种间和部位间差异明显;IAA/ABA、IAA/TZR、IAA/Zeatin和IAA/JA、ABA/TZR、ABA/Zeatin和ABA/JA比值为53号高于18号;穗条内SA/IAA为18号高于53号,SA/JA和SA/ABA为53号高于18号;砧木茎段均为18号高于53号;TZR/SA、TZR/JA比值在穗条和砧木茎段为18号高于53号。两品种创伤后IAA与JA极显著正相关,而IAA与SA,SA与JA在18号极显著正相关,53号极显著或显著负相关;53号TZR、Zeatin、SA间极显著或显著正相关,JA与TZR、Zeatin和SA极显著负相关。砧木茎段创伤后18号激素间为极显著或显著正相关;53号TZR和Zeatin与IAA、JA极显著正相关,与SA存在显著负相关,SA与JA有显著负相关。砧木茎段和根部间品种间仅在SA与各激素间相关性存在差异,其他激素间存在极显著正相关或负相关。综上所述,砧穗创伤后激素水平上18号在创伤面易于愈伤组织发育,而53号抗逆激素水平较高且与细胞分裂增殖类激素负相关,可能影响53号嫁接后愈合生长;嫁接应在创伤后10 min内较为适宜;砧穗间激素含量及比值的差异可能会影响后期嫁接部位形态重建以及穗条生长。     

Identification of cells in rat brain and peripheral tissues expressing mRNA for members of the nerve growth factor family

Cells expressing mRNA for hippocampus-derived neurotrophic factor (HDNF/NT-3) or brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were identified by in situ hybridization. In the rat brain, HDNF mRNA was predominantly found in pyramidal neurons in CA1 and CA2 of the hippocampus. Lower levels of HDNF mRNA were found in granular neurons of the dentate gyrus and in neurons of the taenia tecta and induseum griseum. BDNF mRNA-expressing cells were more widely distributed in the rat brain, with high levels in neurons of CA2, CA3, and the hilar region of the dentate gyrus, in the external and internal pyramidal layers of the cerebral cortex, in the claustrum, and in one brainstem structure. Lower levels were seen in CA1 and in the granular layer of the hippocampus, in the taenia tecta, and in the mammillary complex. In peripheral tissues, HDNF mRNA was found in glomerular cells in the kidney, secretory cells in the male rat submandibular gland, and epithelial cells in secondary and tertiary follicles in the ovary. Cells expressing BDNF mRNA were found in the dorsal root ganglia, where neurons of various sizes were labeled.     

崇左金花茶花朵和叶片类黄酮UPLC-Q-TOF-MS分析

以崇左金花茶（Camellia chuangtsoensis）为材料,利用超高效液相色谱-四极杆-飞行时间质谱（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS）联用技术定性定量分析其花朵（花瓣、雄蕊）和叶片（老叶、新叶）中类黄酮成分与含量。结果表明,崇左金花茶中共检测到14种类黄酮成分,木犀草素、木犀草素-7-O-芸香糖苷、槲皮素-3,7-O-二葡萄糖苷、芸香柚皮苷、圣草素和染料木苷为山茶属金花茶组植物中首次发现,其中槲皮素-3,7-O-二葡萄糖苷、芸香柚皮苷、圣草素和染料木苷主要存在于花朵中,木犀草素和木犀草素-7-O-芸香糖苷在花朵中含量高于叶片,雄蕊中高于花瓣;槲皮素-3-O-葡萄糖苷、槲皮素-7-O-葡萄糖苷、槲皮素-3-O-芸香糖苷和山柰酚-3-O-葡萄糖苷为金花茶组植物叶片中首次发现,其叶片中含量远低于花朵,老叶中远低于新叶,雄蕊中远低于花瓣;儿茶素和表儿茶素在花朵中含量高于叶片,雄蕊中高于花瓣;槲皮素和山萘酚在花朵和叶片中含量均较低。崇左金花茶花瓣和雄蕊中含量较高的类黄酮为儿茶素类、木犀草素类和槲皮素类,主要是表儿茶素、木犀草素和槲皮素-3-O-葡萄糖苷;叶片中为儿茶素类和木犀草素类,主要是表儿茶素、木犀草素和木犀草素-7-O-芸香糖苷。崇左金花茶花瓣和雄蕊中儿茶素类、木犀草素类及类黄酮总量均高于叶片,且雄蕊高于花瓣;花瓣和雄蕊中槲皮素类远高于叶片,且花瓣中远高于雄蕊。     

Complementation Analysis of Methyl Methane-Sulfonate-Induced Recessive Lethal Mutations in the Zeste-White Region of the X Chromosome of DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Recessive lethan mutations in the 3A1 to 3C2 region of the X-chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster were detected in 113 of 33,544 sperm treated by feeding 5 mM methyl methanesulfonate in 1% sucrose for 22 hours. Seven of the 113 lethans were sterile, leaving 106 for analysis by complementation tests. With only one exception, these mutants were found to have lesions restricted to single loci. One of these single-site mutations was in qt, 2 in tko, 18 in zw-1, 12 in zw-8, 6 in zw-4, 3 in zw-10, 3 in zw-13, 21 in zw-2, 7 in zw-3, 5 in zw-6, 6 in zw-12, 1 in zw-7, 12 in zw-5, 5 in zw-11, and 3 in zw-9. One of the lethals, m69, was non-complementary to two adjacent loci, zw-2 and zw-3, possible indicating a deletion encompassing two loci. The results confirm that there are at least 15 recessive lethal loci in the region and are consistent with the hypothesis of LIM and SYNDER (1968 and 1974) that inability of monofunctional alkylating chemicals to induce deletion associated mutations is a characteristic of the compounds.     

The influence of hepatoprotector 2-ethylthiobenzimidazole hydrobromide (bemithyl) on the content of glycogen in cirrhotic rat liver hepatocytes located in various microenvironments

Using absorption and fluorescent cytophotometry methods, glycogen contents were studied in hepatocytes located in liver lobules and in hepatocytes, which make the general population of these cells in normal and cirrhotic rat liver. In cirrhosis, the content of glycogen in hepatocytes located in lobules obviously rises in comparison with the norm, but to a lesser degree, than in hepatocytes making the general population of these cells in cirrhotic liver. The content of glycogen in hepatocytes, located in lobules of pathologically changed liver in bemithyl treated rats, did not differ from the norm. At the same time, the glycogen content in hepatocytes, representing the general population of these cells in cirrhotically altered bemithyl injected rat liver, remained higher than in the norm. The data obtained indicate that distinctions in particular cell microinvironment, obviously present in cirrhotic liver, render essential influence on hepatocyte functional activity.     

Immunohistochemical localization of a thyroid hormone-binding protein (p55) in human tissues

We have localized p55, a thyroid hormone-binding protein found in the endoplasmic reticulum in cultured cells, in samples of normal human and monkey tissues, using a monoclonal antibody with cryostat sections and immunoperoxidase histochemistry. Large amounts of p55 were found in many tissues, generally corresponding to the amount of endoplasmic reticulum contained in each cell type. Intense localization of p55 was found in cells of the anterior and intermediate pituitary lobes, in epithelial cells of thyroid follicles, in the glandular epithelium of mammary gland, in hepatocytes, in Paneth cells and Brunner's glands in duodenum, in acinar cells of pancreas, in adrenal cortical cells, and in scattered interstitial fibroblastic cells in many tissues. These results suggest a potential role for thyroid hormone and p55 in regulating protein synthesis or secretion in multiple organs.     

Density-dependent variation in lifetime breeding success and natural and sexual selection in Soay rams

Variation in male lifetime breeding success (LBS) is central to understanding selection, yet it has rarely been measured in natural populations of large mammals. Here, we first describe variation in the opportunity for selection in cohorts of Soay rams (Ovis aries) on the archipelago of St. Kilda, Scotland, that were born during years of varying population density. Variation in LBS is closely coupled with demography, as rams born in years of low density following population crashes enjoy greater LBS than do those born in high-density years. Paradoxically, the opportunity for selection was greatest in the largest cohorts, those born in years of high population density, owing to low juvenile breeding success and overwinter survival. Variation in longevity and the contribution of nonbreeders were the most important components of the total variance in LBS in cohorts born in years of high density, while variation in fecundity was more important in cohorts born in low-density years. The opportunity for sexual selection is thus stronger in cohorts born in low-density years, as many rams in these cohorts survive to compete for mates as adults in subsequent ruts. Variation in population density in the year of birth also influenced the intensity of selection. Individuals born in years of high population density underwent strong natural selection in favor of longer hindlimbs over their first winter. In contrast, in cohorts born in low-density years, there was no natural selection on hindlimb in the first year of life. Longer hindlimbs were associated with increased fecundity over the entire lifetime of individuals born in low-density years. Natural and sexual selection thus act on the same trait in the same direction at different life-history stages in Soay rams, depending on the population density experienced in the year of birth.     

广东大中型水库底泥重金属含量特征及潜在生态风险评价

广东省45宗大中型水库底泥重金属含量分析评价结果表明:除Cr外,广东省大中型水库底泥中Cu、Zn、Pb和Cd含量均高于广东省土壤重金属含量背景值.广东省四大地理区域中,粤北地区大中型水库底泥Cu、Zn、Pb和Cd平均含量均为最高,分别为89.71、321.21、154.95mg/kg和1.46mg/kg;其次是粤东和粤中地区;粤西大中型水库底泥Cu、Zn、Pb和Cd平均含量均为最低,但Cr平均含量居四大区域之首,为130.81mg/kg.粤东和粤北大中型水库底泥重金属富集系数以Cd最高;粤中和粤西大中型水库底泥重金属富集系数则以Cu最大.总体而言,粤北大中型水库底泥重金属具有很强的潜在生态风险,粤东和粤中大中型水库底泥重金属潜在生态风险程度为中等;粤西大中型水库底泥重金属属于轻微生态风险程度.结果说明,广东省大部分地区大中型水库底泥的重金属潜在生态风险主要是由于底泥中Cd的潜在生态风险系数过高所造成.人为生产活动,特别是矿产开采造成的污染是广东省大中型水库底泥重金属潜在生态风险等级提高的主要原因.     

大黄属3种大黄植物不同部分蒽醌含量的测定与比较

采用C18反相柱高效液相色谱方法分离、外标法定量对大黄属掌叶组唐古特大黄、波叶组波叶大黄、穗序组穗序大黄的根（及根茎）、叶片、叶柄、主茎四部分的芦荟大黄素、大黄酸、大黄素、大黄酚4种游离和结合蒽醌的含量进行了测定和比较。结果表明：唐古特大黄中,叶片中的游离蒽醌含量高于其它部分,游离蒽醌总量地上部分远高于地下部分;结合蒽醌则根中最高,蒽醌总量地下部分远高于地上部分。波叶大黄和穗序大黄中,游离和结合蒽醌均为根中最高,穗序大黄蒽醌总量地下部分远高于地上部分,而波叶大黄中,游离蒽醌总量地上部分高于地下部分,结合蒽醌总量地上部分与地下部分相差不大,地上部分略高于地下部分。     

Comparative analysis of allele polymorphism of three short tandem repeats in the Russian, Uzbek and Georgian populations

The allele polymorphism of the AGC short tandem repeat (STR) of exon 1 of the androgen receptor (AR) gene located in Xq11-12, ATCT STR of intron 40 of the von Willebrand factor (vWF) gene located in chromosome 12p12, and AGAT STR of an anonymous DNA sequence (STRX1) from the short arm of the X chromosome was analyzed in the Georgian, Uzbek, and Russian populations. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with DNA of unrelated persons revealed 14 AR, 7 vWF, and 7 STRX1 alleles in Georgians; 14, 8, and 6 alleles, respectively, in Uzbeks; and 16, 8, and 9 alleles, respectively, in Russians. The heterozygosity at these STR was 0.61, 0.78, and 0.46 in Georgians; 0.60, 0.83, and 0.44 in Uzbeks; and 0.80, 0.70, and 0.58 in Russians. The correspondence of genotype frequencies to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed with AR STR in Russians and Uzbeks, STRX1 STR in Georgians, and vWF in all three populations. A significant deviation from the equilibrium was found for STRX1 in Russians and Uzbeks and AR in Georgians. The potential of individualization was 0.05 for AR, 0.13 for vWF, and 0.18 for STRX1 in Georgians; 0.04, 0.09, and 0.13, respectively in Uzbeks; and 0.05, 0.14, and 0.07, respectively, in Russians. The allele and genotype frequency distributions of each STR were analyzed in all three populations. Allele frequencies in the populations were compared by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The Russian population significantly differed in allele frequencies of the three STR from Uzbeks and in those of STRX1 and AR from Georgians. Georgians and Uzbeks significantly differed in vWF and STRX1 frequencies. The possibility of using the three STR in molecular diagnosis of the corresponding monogenic diseases, population genetic studies, and personal identification is discussed.     

Control of hydatid disease in Wales.

OBJECTIVES--To evaluate the success of the south Powys hydatid control programme by analysis of trends in cystic disease in humans and sheep and dog infestation. DESIGN--A review of hospital admissions for human hydatid disease in 1984-90, abattoir prevalence surveys of hydatid cysts in adult sheep, arecoline acetarsol and coproantigen surveys of prevalence of Echinococcus infestation in dogs. SETTING--All hospitals in England and Wales, three abattoirs, and dog populations in mid ands south east Wales. SUBJECTS--Residents of England and Wales admitted to hospital between 1984 and 1990 with a new diagnosis of human hydatid disease (International Classification of Diseases (ICD), ninth revision, code 122) acquired in the United Kingdom. RESULTS--The average annual incidence of human hydatid disease in Powys, mid-Wales, fell from 3.9x10(-5) in 1974-83 to 2.3x10(-5) in 1984-90. Age specific incidence rates in Wales declined over this period only in children, and no cases occurred in children (<15 years) in Powys. Two Welsh children who lived in Gwent and mid-Glamorgan were infected. Prevalence of hydatid cysts in old sheep from south Wales declined during the control period, but in 1993 prevalence of cysts was 13%. Prevalence of E granulosus infestation was zero in the control area in 1993, but it was 2.4% in Powys dogs outside the control area in 1989 and 9.2% in dogs in Gwent in 1991. CONCLUSIONS--Human hydatid disease has been successfully controlled in south Powys but cystic echinococcosis is still endemic in sheep in mid-Wales, and there is a focus of infection in humans, sheep, and dogs in the bordering areas of Gwent and mid-Glamorgan. There is considerable potential for an upsurge in human cases if control measures are relaxed.     

中国细石核类型和工艺初探——兼谈与东北亚、西北美的文化联系

通过中国十个重要细石器遗址中细石核的观察,对中国细石核的类型和工艺技术作一初步的区分和综合的比较,以探讨中国细石器传统在时间和空间上的分布特点。同时与发现于东北亚、西北美的细石核进行对比,从它们之间的异同来看这一地区在文化上的传承关系。     

Insulin research in China and the U.K

Insulin has been extensively studied since it was discovered by Banting and Best in 1921. Early in 1934, Dorothy Crowfoot and John Desmond Bernal obtained the first X-ray diffraction photograph of an enzyme protein: pepsin. In 1935, they took another photograph of a protein hormone: insulin. The chemical structure of protein was unknown until the amino acid sequence of bovine insulin was solved by Fred Sanger and colleagues in 1955. In 1958, the chemical synthesis of bovine insulin started in China through a nationwide collaboration of three institutions: the Institute of Biochemistry in Shanghai, the Institute of Organic Chemistry in Shanghai and Beijing University. The total synthesis of bovine insulin in crystalline form was accomplished in 1965. The success of the synthesis of the first protein in vitro greatly encouraged young researchers in China. Not long afterwards, the project of structural analysis of insulin crystal was carried out in China through the collaboration of the Institute of Biophysics, the Institute of Physics and Beijing University, and succeeded in 1971. In Dorothy Hodgkin's laboratory in Oxford, X-ray diffraction studies of insulin crystals were resumed after about 30 years, and the structure of rhombohedral insulin crystal was solved in 1969. Through insulin research, the Institute of Biophysics in Beijing and the Institute of Biochemistry in Shanghai established scientific collaboration and personal friendship with Dorothy Hodgkin's laboratory in Oxford, and later Guy Dodson's laboratory in York and Tom Blundell's laboratory in London. In 1975, Dorothy Hodgkin wrote a short note, 'Chinese work on insulin' in Nature, anticipating closer scientific exchange between the East and the West. In 1982, a bilateral meeting between the Biochemical Societies in the U.K. and China was held in Oxford. Now, the second bilateral meeting held in Shanghai will further promote the collaboration between our two countries.     

Metabolism of purine nucleosides and phosphoribosylpyrophosphate in thymocytes and splenocytes of various mammalian species

1. Activities of ADA, PNP and AK were measured in splenocytes and thymocytes of newborn children, young horses, pigs, sheep, rats and mice and compared with the activities previously found in peripheral lymphocytes. 2. With all species, except horse, the activity of ADA (per 10(6) cells) was higher in thymocytes than in lymphocytes. Activity of ADA was highest in splenocytes of pig and sheep. Activity of ADA was lowest in all lymphoid cells of the horse and only about 10% of the activity in human splenocytes and lymphocytes. 3. With all species, except horse, the activity of PNP was lower in thymocytes than in lymphocytes. Activity of PNP was highest in human lymphocytes and lowest in ovine thymocytes. 4. Activity of AK is comparable in thymocytes of all species and always lower than the ADA activity. In splenocytes of man, horse and pig the activity of AK is comparable to that in thymocytes. 5. Activity of deoxyguanosine kinase was lowest in rat thymocytes and highest in those of man. 6. When enzyme activities are expressed per milligram of protein, the differences between thymocytes and lymphocytes are less pronounced. 7. Activity of PRPP synthetase per 10(6) cells was comparable in thymocytes, splenocytes and lymphocytes of the same species and between the various species. 8. The concentration of PRPP was lowest in ovine thymocytes and higher in splenocytes than in thymocytes of the same species, except man.     

Seasonal patterns in feeding ecology of three small fishes in the Biandantang Lake, China

Feeding ecology of three small fish species, Hypseleotris swinhonis, Ctenogobius giurinus and Pseudorasbora parva was studied seasonally in the Biandantang Lake, a small, shallow lake in central China. Gut length, adjusted for total body length, was significantly higher in spring than in other seasons for all the three species. Seasonal changes in gut length were not associated with changes in food quality. Weight of fore-gut contents, adjusted for body weight, was significantly higher in winter and spring than in summer and autumn in H. swinhonis and C. giurinus , and significantly higher in autumn than in spring and summer for P. parva. Percentage of empty fore-guts was highest in summer and lowest in spring for H. swinhonis and C. giurinus , and highest in winter and lowest in autumn for P. parva. Diet of the three small fishes showed apparent seasonal changes, and these changes reflected partly the seasonal fluctuations of food resources in environment. Diet breadth was high in winter and low in autumn for H. swinhonis , high in winter and low in spring and summer for C. giurinus , and high in autumn and low in spring for P. parva. Diet overlaps between pairs of species were biologically significant in most cases, except between H. swinhonis and P. parva in summer and autumn and between C. giurinus and P. parva in autumn.     

Changes of heavy metal concentrations in cross-sections of human femur head

The concentrations of 12 elements (Ni, Ma, Cr, Cd, Pb, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mg, K, Na, Ca) were determined in cross-sections of human femur heads. The highest concentrations of these elements was found in the cortical bone, and the lowest concentrations occurred in the trabecular bone, with exception of the E cross-section, in which the lowest values were found in articular cartilage. The average concentrations of Na, Ca, K, and Mg were highest in cortical bone and lowest in articular cartilage. Pb was found in higher concentrations in articular cartilage and lowest in trabecular bone, with exception of cross-sections A and E. The Fe contents in the cortical parts were highest in cross-sections A, B, and D. Cu was highest in cross-sections B, C, and D of articular cartilage. These results show that the contents of the selected metals in the femur head varied considerably. As expected, the largest concentrations were found in the outmost part of cross-section E and the lowest in its innermost one, possibly related to mechanical stress.     

Cervical softening during pregnancy: regulated changes in collagen cross-linking and composition of matricellular proteins in the mouse

A greater understanding of the parturition process is essential in the prevention of preterm birth, which occurs in 12.7% of infants born in the United States annually. Cervical remodeling is a critical component of this process. Beginning early in pregnancy, remodeling requires cumulative, progressive changes in the cervical extracellular matrix (ECM) that result in reorganization of collagen fibril structure with a gradual loss of tensile strength. In the current study, we undertook a detailed biochemical analysis of factors in the cervix that modulate collagen structure during early mouse pregnancy, including expression of proteins involved in processing of procollagen, assembly of collagen fibrils, cross-link formation, and deposition of collagen in the ECM. Changes in these factors correlated with changes in the types of collagen cross-links formed and packing of collagen fibrils as measured by electron microscopy. Early in pregnancy there is a decline in expression of two matricellular proteins, thrombospondin 2 and tenascin C, as well as a decline in expression of lysyl hydroxylase, which is involved in cross-link formation. These changes are accompanied by a decline in both HP and LP cross-links by gestation Days 12 and 14, respectively, as well as a progressive increase in collagen fibril diameter. In contrast, collagen abundance remains constant over the course of pregnancy. We conclude that early changes in tensile strength during cervical softening result in part from changes in the number and type of collagen cross-links and are associated with a decline in expression of two matricellular proteins thrombospondin 2 and tenascin C.     

REGIONAL ISOLATION PERFUSION IN THE TREATMENT OF ADVANCED MALIGNANT DISEASE

Regional isolation perfusion with an alkylating agent was carried out in a small community hospital, using readily available equipment, ten times in nine cases of advanced malignant disease. Visible regression of tumor, either grossly or histologically, occurred in seven patients and decided subjective improvement occurred in five patients.The long range effect of the procedure could not be determined in the present series, not enough time having elapsed.Side effects included jaundice in four patients, massive necrosis of the tumor in one patient, nausea and vomiting in three patients, postoperative edema in five patients, wound infection in two patients, Horner''s syndrome in one patient, temporary alopecia in three patients, and depression of hemoglobin level in seven patients, of the leukocyte count in four patients and of the platelet count in four patients.A feature of the procedure used in the present series was a system of monitoring the escape of alkylating agent into the systemic circulation.