Female sex steroid induced epithelial changes in the gallbladder of the ovariectomized Syrian hamster.

Ovariectomized Syrian hamsters treated by female sex steroids during a 1-month period show gallbladder surface epithelial changes in the fundic area consistent with apical bulging and decapitations of the epithelial cells. These events were detected in the infundibulum and the fundic or body regions of estrogen- and estrogen+progesterone-treated hamsters. In control hamsters, these events were restricted to the region in the vicinity of the bile duct. Following steroid treatment, intraluminal deposits detected resembled Ca-bilirubinate deposits described in previous studies while decapitations are similar to endometrial epithelium changes associated with hormonal physiological changes or treatments. Moreover some small electron-dense deposits are comparable to those found in human cholesterol gallstones. This report indicates that, besides an alteration in bile composition, cell fragments originating from the surface epithelium of the bile duct and/or of the gallbladder mucosal epithelium could participate in gallstone nucleation.     

Enzymatic synthesis of two ginsenoside Re-beta-xylosides.

Two new beta-xylosyl derivatives of ginsenoside Re, 20(S)-protopanaxatriol 6-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-20-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and 20(S)-protopanaxatriol 6-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-20-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, were respectively synthesized from p-nitrophenyl beta-D-xylopyranoside and phenyl beta-D-xylopyranoside as donors and ginsenoside Re as the acceptor in 25% acetone and acetonitrile by a cellulase preparation from Trichoderma viride and a beta-galactosidase preparation from Aspergillus oryzae. The latter enzyme preparation also catalyzed the hydrolysis of ginsenoside Re to the minor saponin, ginsenoside Rg2.     

Cauliflower mosaic virus gene VI causes growth suppression, development of necrotic spots and expression of defence-related genes in transgenic tobacco plants

Summary In order to study possible functions of the inclusion body matrix protein (IBMP) encoded by gene VI of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV), the XbaI fragment containing the gene VI of a Japanese strain of CaMV (CaMV S-Japan) was transferred to tobacco plants by Ti mediated transformation. Eight out of 18 kanamycin resistant plants (40%) expressed detectable levels of IBMP. Those transgenic plants expressing IBMP produced leaves with light green color, and their growth was suppressed as compared with control plants. Symptom-like necrotic spots also appeared on the leaves and stems of the mature transgenic plants. Furthermore, in these transgenic plants, pathogenesis-related proteins 1a, 1b and 1c were highly expressed and the activity of 1,3--glucanase was increased up to eightfold. From these results, we concluded that expression of the IBMP is associated with symptom development.     

Intensive treatment of respiratory failure--personal experiences

Controlled oxygen-therapy was used in 30 out of 49 patients (61%) with the acute respiratory failure or exacerbations of the chronic respiratory failure treated at ICU (Group Y), while artificial ventilation in the remaining 19 patients (39%; Group B). An improvement was achieved in 70% of patients of Group A and 42% in Group B. Overall improvement was achieved in 59% of the treated patients. There were 69% of treated patients with infections. Totally 41% of the treated patients died (30% of Group A and 58% of Group B). An analysis of the results has been carried out in various subgroups of the treated patients, i.e. the acute and exacerbated respiratory failure as well as partial and complete respiratory insufficiency. The result of high risk patients have also been analysed. This subgroup included sudden cardiac arrest, shock and non-compensated acidosis. Favourable effects of the intensive care of patients with infections have been discussed with particular reference to the life hazard in case of septic complications. Emphasis is on the unfavorable effects of therapy in patients with respiratory failure complicated with pulmonary embolism. Indications to the use of respirator and complications of the artificial ventilation have been discussed.     

Toxicity effects of latex gloves on boar spermatozoa

It is known that several materials used in semen collection have been found to be detrimental to spermatozoal motility. In this study, examinations for toxic effects of latex and vinyl gloves, used with and without talcum powder on boar spermatozoa, were performed. Ten boars of known fertility with >/=80% sperm motility were divided into two groups (n = 5 boars each) for in vitro and in vivo studies. In the in vitro study, semen was collected from each of the five boars and was divided into five separate aliquots (5 ml each). One aliquot from each of the boars remained as the control, while the remaining aliquots were divided into individual treatments exposing the semen to a l cm(2) piece of latex or vinyl glove with or without talcum powder. In the in vivo experiment, semen from each of the five boars was collected using a gloved hand. During collection, the first half of the sperm-rich fraction was collected into a filtered sterile container, while the second half of the fraction was allowed to run through the palm of either a latex or vinyl powdered glove prior to collection in the container. In both experiments, semen sample motility was assessed by two independent observers at 1 minute after exposure. Results of both experiments consistently showed a significant (P<0.05) effect of latex gloves (with or without talcum powder) on boar semen when compared with the control semen. Motility was at or near 0% at 1 min after exposure to latex. No significant difference (P>0.05) in motility was observed between the control semen and the semen exposed to talcum powdered vinyl gloves. These results show that latex gloves are detrimental to boar spermatozoa. Therefore, it is suggested that when collecting boar semen vinyl gloves should be used.     

Carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis of alpha-thalassemia of Southeast Asian deletion by polymerase chain reaction

Summary Alpha-thalassemia of Southeast Asian deletion (-- SEA/) is very common in Southeast Asia. Homozygosity of this genotype is the major cause of Hb Bart's hydrops fetalis in Taiwan. With polymerase chain reaction using three oligonucleotide primers bridging the common deletion breakpoint, a DNA fragment of 194 basepairs (bp) was amplified in chromosomes with the-- SEA determinant and a DNA fragment of 287 bp was amplified in chromosomes without this deletion. In our pilot study including 8 normal subjects, 20 obligate carriers, and 11 homozygotes of the deletion, all the genotypes were determined and then confirmed by Southern blotting and DNA hybridization with globin gene probe. For prenatal diagnosis, 55 at-risk pregnancies were collected. Chorionic villus sampling was done in 51 cases and early amniocentesis was done in 4 cases. Fourteen cases (25.5%) were diagnosed as normal, 25 (45.5%) as heterozygotes, and 16 (29%) as homozygotes of -- SEA. All of the diagnoses were also confirmed as aforementioned. With polymerase chain reaction, the determination of the -- SEA deletion is straightforward and is much quicker and easier than with conventional Southern blotting and DNA hybridization. In areas with a high prevalence of -- SEA deletion, this method provides a rapid tool for carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis.