Fabrication of nanocrystalline surface composite layer on Cu plate under ball collisions

It was demonstrated that the severe plastic deformation of a surface induced by repeated ball collisions can be effectively used for fabrication of the nanocrystalline surface composite layers. The Cu disk was fixed at the top of a vibration chamber and ball treated. Al, Zr, Ni, Co and Fe were introduced into a Cu plate as contaminants from the grinding media one after the other by 15-min ball treatment. The composite structure was formed as a result of mechanical intermixing of the components. The particle size in as-fabricated layer ranged from 2 nm to 20 nm, with average values of about 7 nm. As-fabricated layer contained non-equilibrium multicomponent solid solution based on FCC Cu crystal structure, Zr-based phase, nanosized steel debris and amorphous phase. The hardness of the as-fabricated composite was almost ten times that of the initial Cu plate.

Gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric analysis of conjugated steroids in urine

This study was carried out qualitatively and quantitatively to investigate the presence and the concentrations of anabolic steroids in urine collected from orally administered humans. Microanalysis of conjugated steroids by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) has been carried out. Following oral administration three major metabolites of anabolic steroid drugs have been detected and partially characterized. The six steroids can be analysed at the same time in 17 min. The lower detection limit was 10 ng/ml in 5 ml of urine. The conjugated steroids from urine were centrifuged to 2,430 g for 10 min, the supernatant solution passed through Amberlite XAD-2 column and the steroids eluted fraction esterified by using MSTFA and TMSI. The rate of metabolism and urinary excretion seem to be reasonably fast.

Limited open repair of ruptured Achilles tendons with Bunnel-type sutures

A new method of repairing Achilles tendons, which uses a small medial skin incision with a Bunnel-type suture, was performed on 14 patients, and the clinical results were found satisfying. In order to restore the Achilles tendon to its original length, restore tensile strength in the suture site, and minimize injury to the sural nerve, an operative procedure has been devised which uses a limited open repair with a Bunnel-type suture. We followed 14 patients who had undergone the new procedure for a mean interval of 26 months after the injury. They returned to work in six weeks and to playing sports in 25 weeks. There were no cases of late rerupture nor injuries to the sural nerve. This technique approximated the preinjury length and resting tension of the musculo-tendinous apparatus and minimized sural nerve injury.

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction analysis of two different populations of cultured Korean catfish Silurus asotus

Genetic similarity and diversity of cultured catfish Silurus asotus populations collected from two areas in western Korea were examined using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR). Out of 20 random primers tested, 5 produced 1344 RAPD bands ranging from 8.2 to 13.6 polymorphic bands per primer. The polymorphic bands in these populations ranged from 56.4% to 59.6%. Polymorphic bands per lane within populations ranged from 4.9% to 5.3%. The similarity within the Kunsan population varied from 0.39 to 0.82 with a mean (+/- SD) of 0.56 +/- 0.08. The level of bandsharing values was 0.59 +/- 0.07 within the catfish population from Yesan. The genetic similarity in cultured catfish populations may have been caused because individuals from two populations were reared in the same environmental conditions or by inbreeding during several generations. However, in view of bandsharing values, polymorphic bands and also the specific major bands that were inter-population-specific, significant genetic differentiation between these populations were present even if bandsharing (BS) values were somewhat numerically different. Therefore, the number of RAPD polymorphisms identified in this study may be sufficient to permit estimating genetic similarity and diversity. However, in future, additional populations, sampling sites and individuals will be necessary to make up for these weak points.

Prenatal exposure to magnetic field increases dopamine levels in the striatum of offspring

1. The putative effects of prenatal exposure to magnetic field (MF) have recently received much interest. In the present study, mice were exposed to a MF of 50 mT during gestation (0-19 days). 2. After the exposure was terminated, mothers and offspring were returned to normal laboratory conditions. We then determined changes in striatal levels of dopamine (DA) and its metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the offspring. 3. Our results indicate that prenatal exposure to MF increases levels of DA and DOPAC in the striatum at 4, 8 and 12 weeks postnatally.

Cyclooxygenase-derived products, rather than nitric oxide, are endothelium-derived relaxing factor(s) in the ventral aorta of carp (Cyprinus carpio)

In some fish blood vessels, the existence of a NO (nitric oxide) system has been reported. We examined the possibility that this NO system acts as an endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) in carp aorta using the carp aorta alone and in a combined carp-rat aorta donor-detector system. Use of the typical NO stimulating agent in mammal acetylcholine (ACh) only induced constriction of the carp aorta. This response was not modified by denudation or by NO synthesis inhibition with N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Neither the indirect NO stimulating agents bradykinin and histamine nor the direct NO releasers sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and SIN-1 induced vasorelaxation. Both SNP and ACh elevated the cGMP concentration in rat aorta, but not in carp aorta. In the aorta combination set-up, where carp served as a NO donor and rat aorta served as a NO detector, no relaxation of the rat aorta was observed. The calcium ionophore A23187, a known EDRF producer in mammals, induced relaxation of carp aorta through an endothelium- and cyclooxygenase-dependent mechanism. These results indicate that carp aorta does not produce NO as an EDRF nor does it respond to exogenously supplied NO. The major EDRF in carp is apparently a product(s) of cyclooxygenase metabolism.

Cloning and cytotoxicity of fusion proteins of EGF and angiogenin

Targeted toxins represent a new approach to specific cytocidal therapy. Immunotoxins based on plant and microbial toxins are very immunogenic. To develop a targeted therapy that is less immunogenic and easily invades target tissues, four fusion proteins containing human angiogenin targeted by human EGF have been constructed. EGF is a single chain polypeptide, which binds to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and is known to be internalized by endocytosis. Angiogenin has been separately fused either at the amino terminus or the carboxyl terminus of EGF via linkers, giving rise to angiogenin-gly-EGF, angiogenin-(gly)4ser-EGF and EGF-angiogenin, EGF-gly-angiogenin, respectively. The fusion proteins were over-expressed in Escherichia coli and purified from periplasmic eluents by affinity chromatography. EGF-angiogenin and EGF-gly-angiogenin maintained receptor-binding activity of EGF and RNase activity of angiogenin in a single peptide and actively inhibited growth of human EGFR-positive target cells in culture. They are expected to have a very low immunogenic potential in humans because of their endogenous origin and also to have another potential therapeutic advantage because these fusion proteins may have overcome conventional immunotoxin and possess increased ability to penetrate because of their small size.

High level expression of soluble angiogenin in Escherichia coli

Human angiogenin was genetically engineered and contained the E. coli Omp A signal sequence for secreting soluble angiogenin to the periplasm under tac promoter control. The angiogenin sequence was encoded in a single gene and expressed as a 14.4 kilodalton soluble protein in E. coli. It was purified by CM-Sepharose ion-exchange chromatography and by a heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography procedure. The biological activity of angiogenin was established by its ability to inhibit mRNA-dependent rabbit reticulocyte cell-free translation.

Treatment of recurrence of adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum at the anastomotic site

Resection of recurrent adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum at the anastomotic site was performed in 30 patients. In the majority of the patients, the recurrence was apparent within two years of the initial operation. In 27 patients, the recurrence was diagnosed based upon persistent signs and symptoms or if the tumor was clinically palpable. In 15 patients, complete resection of the recurrent tumor was feasible, and the median survival time was 59 months, with a five year survival rate of 49 per cent. In ten other patients, minimal tumor was left behind. The median survival time was 17 months and 12 per cent survived five years.

Surgical treatment of metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma

Ninety-one patients with recurrent or metastatic colorectal adenocarcinomas were studied according to the anatomic areas of the recurrent tumor. In Group A, 30 patients with anastomotic recurrence, diagnosis was made in the majority within two years from initial surgery; most of them had specific symptomatology. A significant number of patients had blood in the stools. In half of the patients, complete resection of the recurrent tumor was feasible. In Group B, 47 patients with intra-abdominal recurrence, there was some delay in diagnosis; the symptomatology was less specific, and fewer patients were rendered free of tumor following reresection. The medial survival and estimated five-year survival rate were, in both groups, strongly related to the completeness of the resection. In Group C, with distant metastasis (eight patients with pulmonary and six with liver metastasis), the disease-free interval was longer compared to the previous groups. The metastatic tumor was found in three patients, four or more years after the initial surgery. The medial survival was the same as in the two other subgroups with complete resection of the recurrent tumor.

Interstitial pneumonitis associated with mitomycin C and DTIC: a case report

A case of interstitial pneumonitis secondary to mitomycin C and DTIC combination therapy in a 58-year-old male with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the rectum is reported. Dry cough and dyspnea, especially on exertion, were presenting symptoms. Arterial blood gas analysis was compatible with severe impairment in pulmonary diffusion capacity. Chest x-ray showed a diffuse increase in interstitial markings in both lung fields consistent with interstitial pneumonia. Histologically, prominence of type I pneumocytes, focal proliferation of type II pneumocytes, and varying degree of fibroblastic proliferation and collagenization within the alveolar septae were observed. The obliteration of alveolar septal vessels due to endothelial edema and/or proliferation of fibroblast-like mesenchymal cells were also noted. Withdrawal of drugs and institution of high dose corticosteroid therapy were followed in rapid improvement in dyspnea and arterial blood gas findings. If diagnosed early, this potentially life threatening complication may respond to such therapy.

Malignant lymphoma with a high content of epithelioid histiocytes: report of T-cell variant of so-called Lennert lymphoma and review of the literature

The present report describes the first case of well-differentiated nodular lymphocytic lymphoma evolving into Lennert lymphoma of T-cell origin. A 58-year-old white female developed malignant lymphoma, well-differentiated, lymphocytic type, nodular, with focal bone marrow involvement (stage IV) in May 1975. She received 16 cycles of cyclophosphamide and prednisone combination chemotherapy which was completed in October 1976. A complete remission was achieved. In December 1976, she relapsed and was treated with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, bleomycin, and prednisone until May 1977. Lymphadenopathy decreased until August 1978, but then increased again. Biopsy of an axillary lymph node was interpreted as Lennert lymphoma. She received methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, adriamycin, and prednisone beginning in September 1978. When last seen in November 1979, she was in partial remission. Lymphoid cells obtained from lymph node which was involved with Lennert lymphoma consisted of 93% standard E-rosettes and 83% gravity E-rosettes. Cytoplasmic immunoglobulin on frozen sections was negative, but acid phosphatase (ACP) and alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase reactions were strongly positive. These findings support a T-cell proliferation in Lennert lymphoma. A review of the literature reveals only four cases of Lennert lymphoma of T-cell origin.