[Short-term outcomes of the TRIANGLE operation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced pancreatic cancer]

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of the TRIANGLE operation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced pancreatic cancer(LAPC). Methods: This study is a retrospective case series analysis. Between January 2020 and December 2022, a total of 103 patients were diagnosed as LAPC who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy at the Pancreas Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Among them, 26 patients (25.2%) underwent the TRIANGLE operation. There were 15 males and 11 females,with a age of (59±7) years (range: 49 to 74 years). The pre-treatment serum CA19-9(M(IQR)) was 248.8(391.6)U/ml (range: 0 to 1 428 U/ml),and the serum carcinoembryonic antigen was 4.1(3.8)μg/L(range: 1.4 to 13.4 μg/L). The neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens included: mFOLFIRINOX regimen in 6 cases(23.1%), GnP regimen in 14 cases(53.8%), and mFOLFIRINOX+GnP regimen in 6 cases(23.1%). The follow-up duration extended until June 2023 or until the occurrence of the patient's death or loss to follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier method was employed to estimate the 1-year and 3-year overall survival rates. Results: After neoadjuvant chemotherapy,CA19-9 levels decreased by 92.3(40.1)%(range:2.1% to 97.7%). Evaluation of the response to treatment revealed 13 cases(50.0%) of stable disease,11 cases(42.3%) of partial response,and 2 cases(7.7%) of complete response. The surgical operation consisted of 12 cases(46.2%) of pancreaticoduodenectomy,12 cases(46.2%) of distal pancreatectomy,and 2 cases(7.7%) of total pancreatectomy. Margin determination was based on the "standardised pathology protocol" and the "1 mm" principle. No R2 and R1(direct) resections were observed,while the R0 resection rate was 61.5%(16/26), and the R1(1 mm) resection rate was 38.5%(10/26).The R1(1 mm) resection rates for the anterior margin,posterior margin,transected margin,portal vein groove margin,and uncinate margin were 23.1%(6/26),19.2%(5/26),12.5%(3/24),2/14, and 1/12, respectively. The overall postoperative complication rate was 57.8%(15/26),with major complications including grade B/C pancreatic fistula 25.0%(6/24,excluding 2 cases of total pancreatectomy),delayed gastric emptying in 23.1%(6/26),wound complications 11.5%(3/26),postoperative hemorrhage 7.7%(2/26), chylous fistula 7.7%(2/26) and bile fistula 3.8%(1/26). No reoperation was performed during the perioperative period(<90 days). One patient died on the 32nd day postoperatively due to a ruptured pseudoaneurysm. A total of 25 patients were followed up,with a follow-up time of 21(24)months(range: 8 to 42 months). During the follow-up period,8 cases(32.0%) died due to tumor recurrence and metastasis,while 17 patients(68.0%) remained alive,including 11 cases of disease-free survival,5 cases of distant metastasis,and 1 case of local recurrence. The overall survival rates at 1- and 3-year after the initiation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy were 95.8% and 58.9%, respectively. The overall survival rates at 1- and 3-year after surgery were 77.7% and 57.8%, respectively. Conclusion: Performing pancreatoduodenectomy according to the Heidelberg triangle protocol in LAPC patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy might increase the R0 resection rate without increasing perioperative mortality or the incidence of major postoperative complications.

[Distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection for pancreatic body cancer: a single center review of 89 consecutive cases]

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection(DP-CAR). Methods: A total of 89 consecutive patients (50 males and 39 females) who were diagnosed with pancreatic body cancer and underwent DP-CAR in Pancreas Center,First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between September 2013 and June 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 50 males and 39 females,with age(M(IQR)) of 63(12) years(range:43 to 81 years). Perioperative parameters,pathology results and follow-up data of these patients were analyzed,χ2 or Fisher's test for categorical data while the Wilcoxon test for quantitative data. Survival results were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier survival method. Results: Among 89 cases,cases combined with portal vein-superior mesenteric vein or organ resection accounted for 22.5% (20/89) and 42.7% (38/89),respectively. The operative time,blood loss and postoperative hospital stay were 270 (110) minutes,300 (300) ml and 13 (10) days,respectively. The overall morbidity rate was 67.4% (60/89) while the major morbidity was 11.2% (10/89). The increase rate in transient liver enzymes was 42.7% (38/89),3.4% (3/89) for liver failure,53.9% (48/89) for clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula,1.1% (1/89) for bile leak,3.4% (3/89) for chylous leak of grade B and C,11.2% (10/89) for abdominal infection,9.0% (8/89) for postoperative hemorrhage of grade B and C,4.5% (4/89) for delayed gastric emptying,6.7% (6/89) for deep vein thrombosis,3.4% (3/89) for reoperation,4.5% (4/89)for hospital mortality,7.9% (7/89) for 90-day mortality. The pathological type was pancreatic cancer for all 89 cases and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma made up 92.1% (82/89). The tumor size was 4.8(2.0) cm, ranging from 1.5 to 12.0 cm. The number of lymph nodes harvested was 14 (13)(range:2 to 33),with a positive lymph node rate of 13.0% (24.0%). The resection R0 rate was 30.0% (24/80) and the R1 (<1 mm) rate was 58.8% (47/80). The median overall survival time was 21.3 months (95%CI: 15.6 to 24.3) and the median disease-free survival time was 19.1 months (95%CI: 11.7 to 25.1). The overall survival at 1-year and 2-year were 69.60% and 39.52%. The median survival time of 58 patients with adjuvant chemotherapy was 24.3 months (95%CI: 17.8 to 32.3) while that of 13 patients without any kind of adjuvant therapy was 8.4 months (95%CI: 7.3 to 22.3). Seven patients accepted neoadjuvant chemotherapy and there was no significant morbidity among them,with a resection rate of R0 of 5/7. Conclusion: DP-CAR is safe and feasible for selective cases,which could be more valuable in improving long-term survival when combined with (neo) adjuvant therapy.

Molecular mechanisms of alveolar epithelial cell senescence and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a narrative review

Background and Objective

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive interstitial pneumonia of unknown etiology. An increasing number of studies have reported that the incidence of IPF increases with age. Simultaneously, the number of senescent cells increased in IPF. Epithelial cell senescence, an important component of epithelial cell dysfunction, plays a key role in IPF pathogenesis. This article summarizes the molecular mechanisms associated with alveolar epithelial cell senescence and recent advances in the applications of drugs targeting pulmonary epithelial cell senescence to explore novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

Methods

All literature published in English on PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were electronically searched online using the following keyword combinations: aging, alveolar epithelial cell, cell senescence, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, WNT/β-catenin, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB).

Key Content and Findings

We focused on signaling pathways associated with alveolar epithelial cell senescence in IPF, including WNT/β-catenin, PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, and mTOR signaling pathways. Some of these signaling pathways are involved in alveolar epithelial cell senescence by affecting cell cycle arrest and secretion of senescence-associated secretory phenotype-associated markers. We also found that changes in lipid metabolism in alveolar epithelial cells can be induced by mitochondrial dysfunction, both of which contribute to cellular senescence and development of IPF.

Conclusions

Decreasing senescent alveolar epithelial cells may be a promising strategy for the treatment of IPF. Therefore, further investigations into new treatments of IPF by applying inhibitors of relevant signaling pathways, as well as senolytic drugs, are warranted.

Acute toxicological study: EZY-1 with potent therapeutic effects of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and its mechanisms

EZY-1 is an antifibrosis peptide purified from Eucheuma. In this study, we explored the acute toxicology of EZY-1 and the signaling pathways involved in its antifibrotic role. The mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis was induced by bleomycin. Pathological changes in lung tissue could be effectively inhibited by EZY-1. Acute toxicity and cell proliferation tests indicated that EZY-1 had no apparent toxicity to mice and cells. We identified proteins that could bind directly to EZY-1 in vitro on the basis of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and bioinformatics analysis. EZY-1 inhibited pulmonary fibrosis via Wnt/β-catenin, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/Smad, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/ mammalian target of rapamycin, and activator of transcription 3 and Janus kinase 2/signal transducer pathways. A transwell micropore experiment showed that EZY-1 could inhibit cell migration and invasion. Western blotting analysis on transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced A549 pulmonary fibrosis cell model suggested that EZY-1 could downregulate p-Smad3 (Ser423/Ser425), Smad4, β-catenin, vimentin, and N-cadherin expression. ELISA showed that EZY-1 could inhibit collagen-I secretion. EZY-1 alleviated idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) through regulating TGF-β/Smad pathways, epithelial-mesenchymal transition processes, and collagen secretion, which provides a potential foundation for theoretical development of EZY-1 as a potential drug against IPF. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: We isolated a new 16-amino-acid peptide derived from the polypeptide extract of Eucheuma, named EZY-1. In vitro and in vivo assays show peptide EZY-1 is safe. The EZY-1 peptide alleviates IPF at lower doses than pirfenidone. EZY-1 alleviated idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) through regulating TGF-β/Smad pathways, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) processes, and collagen secretion, which provides a theoretical basis for the development of EZY-1 as a potential drug against IPF.

Differential gene expression analysis after DAPK1 knockout in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Background

The mechanism through which death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) causes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify key proteins that were altered after DAPK1 knockout.

Methods

Stable DAPK1 knockout HCC cell lines were established, then the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of HCC were screened using the NetworkAnalyst database and enriched using the Metascape software. Protein-protein interaction networks (PPIs) were analyzed and visualized using the STRING database expansion.

Results

In total, 732 differentially expressed genes were identified, including 415 upregulated genes and 317 downregulated genes. Through Cytoscape software scoring, 10 pivotal genes were found to be closely related to changes in DAPK1 expression; Kininogen-1 (KNG1), Complement C3 (C3), Metalloproteinase inhibitor 1 (TIMP1), and Alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein (AHSG) were the most strongly associated with DAPK1 expression changes. Moreover, western blot analysis results revealed that changes in the levels of proteins encoded by the four key genes after DAPK1 knockout were consistent with those seen in the database screening.

Conclusions

These results provide a direction for further studies on the DAPK1 gene and on the mechanism through which DAPK1 leads to hepatocellular carcinoma development.

[Comparative clinical efficacy analysis of pancreatoduodenectomy for distal bile duct and pancreatic head cancer: a report of 1 005 cases]

Objective: To compare and analyze the clinical efficacy of pancreaticoduodenectomy for distal bile duct cancer and pancreatic head cancer. Methods: Clinical data of 1 005 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy and postoperative pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of distal bile duct cancer and pancreatic head cancer at the Pancreas Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2016 to December 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 112 cases in the distal bile duct cancer group, 71 males and 41 females,with age (M(IQR)) of 65(15) years(range: 40 to 87 years); 893 cases in the pancreatic head cancer group, 534 males and 359 females,with age of 64(13)years(range: 16 to 91 years). The differences between clinicopathological characteristics and postoperative overall survival of the two groups were analyzed by χ² test, Fisher's exact probability method, rank sum test or log-rank test, respectively. The difference in postoperative overall survival between the two groups was compared using Kaplan-Meier method after propensity score matching (1∶1). Results: Compared with the pancreatic head cancer group,the distal bile duct cancer group had shorter operative time (240.0(134.0) minutes vs. 261.0(97.0) minutes, Z=2.712, P=0.007),less proportion of combined venous resection (4.5% (5/112) vs. 19.4% (173/893), χ²=15.177,P<0.01),smaller tumor diameter (2.0(1.0) cm vs. 3.0(1.5) cm,Z=10.567,P<0.01),higher well/moderate differentiation ratio (51.4% (56/112) vs. 38.0% (337/893), χ²=7.328, P=0.007),fewer positive lymph nodes (0(1) vs. 1(3), Z=5.824, P<0.01),and higher R0 resection rate (77.7% (87/112) vs. 38.3%(342/893), χ²=64.399, P<0.01),but with a higher incidence of overall postoperative complications (50.0% (56/112) vs. 36.3% (324/892), χ²=7.913,P=0.005),postoperative pancreatic fistula (28.6% (32/112) vs. 13.9% (124/893), χ²=16.318,P<0.01),and postoperative abdominal infection (21.4% (24/112) vs. 8.6% (77/892), χ²=18.001,P<0.01). After propensity score matching, there was no statistical difference in postoperative overall survival time between patients in the distal bile duct cancer group and the pancreatic head cancer group (50.6 months vs. 35.1 months,Z=1.640,P=0.201),and multifactorial analysis showed that tumor site was not an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of patients in both groups after matching (HR=0.73,95%CI:0.43 to 1.23,P=0.238). Conclusions: Patients with distal bile duct cancer are more likely to benefit from early diagnosis and surgical treatment than patients with pancreatic head cancer,but with a relative higher postoperative complication rates. The different tumor origin site is not an independent risk factor for prognosis of patients with distal bile duct cancer and pancreatic head cancer after propensity score matching.

Age Estimation in Han Adults by Thin-Layer CT Scan of Cranial Sutures

Abstract

Objective To explore the value of degree of cranial suture closure in forensic adult age estimation by thin-layer CT scan and establish an adult age estimation model of the Han nationality. Methods Thin-layer CT scan samples of the heads of 220 healthy Sichuan Han adults （110 males, 110 females） aged 20 to 70 were collected, of which 20 samples （10 males, 10 females） were randomly selected as test samples. The sagittal suture, coronal suture （both left and right） and lambdoid suture （both left and right） were respectively and equally divided into 2 segments, and every segment was equally divided into 10 layers and the corresponding multiplanar reformation （MPR） images were selected. The closure of cranial sutures on MPR images was classified into the grades 1-7. The correlations between cranial sutures and age were analyzed to build regression equation for age estimation. Results The degree of closure of sagittal suture, coronal suture （both left and right） and lambdoid suture （both left and right） was positively correlated with age. The coefficient of determination （R²） of regression equation was 0.419 in males, 0.589 in females, and 0.522 in all samples. The results of the verification test showed that the mean absolute error （MAE） was 6.39 years in males, 6.16 years in females, and 6.29 years in all samples. Conclusion There was a higher accuracy in adult age estimation by thin-layer CT scan of cranial sutures. The age of Han nationality adults can be estimated by the degree of cranial sutures closure.

An Adiponectin Receptor Agonist Reduces Type 2 Diabetic Periodontitis

Periodontitis is twice as prevalent in diabetics as in nondiabetics, and type 2 diabetes (T2D)-associated periodontitis is severe in many cases due to the altered and aberrant functions of bone cells in hyperglycemic conditions. Therefore, developing an effective method to halt the disease process, as well as restore and regenerate lost alveolar bone to reserve the natural teeth in diabetics, is critically important. In the current study, we applied a newly discovered adiponectin receptor agonist AdipoRon (APR) in experimental periodontitis in diabetic animal models and demonstrated the underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that when APR systemically quenched the blood sugar level in diet-induced obesity (DIO) diabetic mice, it reduced osteoclast numbers and alveolar bone loss significantly due to APR's inhibition on osteoclast differentiation shown in our in vitro studies. APR also decreased the production of proinflammatory molecules CC chemokine ligand 2 and interleukin 6 in diseased gingival tissues. On the other hand, APR promoted alveolar bone regeneration through enhancing osteogenic differentiation and decreasing stromal cell-derived factor 1 in the bone marrow that facilitates stem cell migration. Same results were achieved by APR treatment of periodontitis induced in adiponectin (APN) knockout mice, indicating the ability of APR to activate the endogenous APN receptors to exert osteoanabolic effects. In summary, our study supports the notion that APR could be used as an effective multipronged approach to target T2D-associated periodontitis.

Construction of expression vectors of capsid proteins from goose parvovirus and investigation of the immunogenicity

Goose parvovirus (GPV) is a highly contagious and lethal disease in goslings and Muscovy ducklings, and is of concern to the waterfowl industry. With the aim of comparing the cellular immunogenicity of three capsid proteins of GPV, plasmids of pcDNA3.1(+)-VP1, pcDNA3.1(+)-VP2, and pcDNA3.1(+)-VP3 were constructed, and the recombinant protein VPs were expressed using an eukaryotic expression system. We detected the levels of immune-related genes (CD4, CD8α, IL-1β, IL-6, IFNα, IFNγ, and IFNλ) in both goose embryo fibroblasts (GEF) and goose peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) cellular models. The immune response conferred by a VP2 DNA vaccine in vivo was observed in a time course. Our data suggested that the cellular immune response to VP2 and VP3 was stronger than that to VP1, while VP2 and VP3 shared similar cellular immune reactivity. In addition, vaccination with VP2 plasmid can induce high level of IgY antibody that continued to increase through 28 days post vaccination. Therefore, our findings shed light on the host cellular immune response against GPV capsid proteins. Keywords: GPV; capsid proteins; cellular immune response; humoral immunity.

Effect of Retrievable Stent Size on Endovascular Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In clinical practice, stent diameter is one of the variable properties important for endovascular treatment. A consensus guideline for stent retriever size selection has yet to be established. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different diameters of Solitaire retrievers on outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Of 628 patients enrolled from the Endovascular Treatment for Acute Anterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke Registry, 256 were treated with the Solitaire 4-mm device and 372, with the 6-mm device. We matched patients treated with the 2 stent sizes using propensity score analysis. The successful outcome was reperfusion as measured by the modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score immediately postprocedure and the dichotomized modified Rankin Scale score at 90 days. Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage and in-hospital mortality were also recorded.

RESULTS

After propensity score analysis, group outcomes did not differ. In addition, in patients with atherosclerosis-related occlusion, a higher reperfusion rate (P = .021) was observed in the Solitaire 4 group, as well as a shorter time interval (P = .002) and fewer passes (P = .025). Independent predictors of successful reperfusion in patients with atherosclerotic disease on logistic analysis were the small stent (OR, 3.217; 95% CI, 1.129-9.162; P = .029) and the propensity score acting as a covariate (OR, 52.84; 95% CI, 3.468-805.018; P = .004).

CONCLUSIONS

We found no evidence of a differential effect of intra-arterial therapy based on the size of Solitaire retrievers. In patients with atherosclerotic disease, favorable reperfusion was associated with deployment of a small stent.

[Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy with a novel artery first and uncinate process first approach through Treitz ligament]

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of a novel artery first and uncinate process first approach for laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy(LPD), emphasizing the left lateral and posterior dissection of uncinate process (UP) via Treitz ligament approach. Methods: From April to November 2016, 18 patients received LPD with a novel approach in Pancreas Center of the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University. All patients were diagnosed as pancreatic head or peri-ampulla tumor, without major vessel invasion nor distant metastasis. For resection, routine caudal view was used in the first step, to dissect the anterior medial border between uncinate process and superior mesenteric vein(SMV). Lymphatic tissues were completely dissected form anterior surface of hepatoduodenal ligament. In the second step, left lateral view with camera from left para-umbilical trocar was used, Treitz ligament was incised, SMA root was exposed. After anticlockwise rotation and retraction of mesentery, the anatomic relationship between SMA trunk, inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery(IPDA), jejunal branch of SMV, and distal part of UP, could be perfectly exposed from left lateral view. SMA was dissected from its root until the position above the uncinate process and duodenum, IPDA was transected, distal part of UP was freed from SMA. In the third step, right lateral view and caudal view were alternatively used; proximal UP mesentery was completely dissected out from SMA root, CA root and posterior surface of hepatoduodenal ligament. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was completed in the forth step after transection of pancreatic neck and common hepatic duct. Results: The SMA root and distal UP were successfully dissected out via Treitz ligament approach in all 18 patients, among them, distal UP was completely excised in 8 patients from left view. Postoperative pathology showed R0 resection rate in 69%. Postoperative complication included intra-abdominal hemorrhage in 1 patient, pancreatic fistula in 7 patients(6 cases with grade A and 1 case with grade B), delayed gastric emptying in 4 patients (2 cases with grade A, 2 cases with grade B). Average postoperative hospital stay was (15.5±6.8)days. Conclusion: The novel artery first and uncinate process first approach through Treitz ligament could help surgeons to completely dissect the full length of meso-pancreas along celiac axis-SMA axis in LPD.

[Progress on the Rule of Clavicle Epiphyseal Closure Using Multi-Imaging Technology]

People aged 18 years could be punished lightly or diminished criminal responsibility, even be spared the death sentence, which has important meaning in Chinese judicatory adjudication. The epiphysis of long bones from human limbs and the secondary sexual characteristics almost have developed completely before 18 years old. Clavicle epiphysis is one of the articular metaphysis which has a late epiphyseal closure. The recent studies in exploring the rule of clavicle epiphyseal by multi-imaging technology shows that the development of clavicle epiphysis has some value in age estimation of 18 years old. CT, especially thin-section CT, is widely used at present. However, thin-section CT scanning has great net radiation, which is not ethically acceptable if it is not for diagnosis and treatment. MRI is nonradioactive tomographic imaging and easy to evaluate, which is one of the future research directions in forensic age estimation using the medial clavicle. This paper summarizes the progress on the rule of clavicle epiphyseal closure, and analyzes and summarizes the feasibility of rule of clavicle epiphyseal closure applies on age estimation.

Usefulness of specific OA biomarkers, thrombin-cleaved osteopontin, in the posterior cruciate ligament OA rabbit model

OBJECTIVE

We undertook this study to determine whether thrombin-cleaved osteopontin (OPN) in synovial fluid (SF) represents a useful marker of osteoarthritis (OA) progression in the posterior cruciate ligament transection (PCLT) OA rabbit model.

METHOD

PCLT was performed on the right knee joints of 48 rabbits. The rabbits were then sacrificed separately at 4, 8, 16, and 24 weeks post-surgery, when the joint was harvested and macroscopic and histological assessments of articular cartilage were performed. Thrombin-cleaved OPN product in SF was determined using Western blotting and the levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunoassay.

RESULTS

The macroscopic and histological scores for PCLT knees were already elevated 4 weeks after surgery and increased with time. Western blotting showed the presence of thrombin-cleaved OPN in SF from PCLT knees. Thrombin-cleaved OPN levels in SF were elevated at 4 weeks (P < 0.001) and were elevated peaking at 24 weeks (P < 0.00001) after PCLT compared to baseline. A positive significant correlation was found between thrombin-cleaved OPN levels and the macroscopic scores (8 weeks: ρ = 0.695, P = 0.012; 16 weeks: ρ = 0.751, P = 0.005; 24 weeks: ρ = 0.660, P = 0.020). Furthermore, the same correlation was noted between thrombin-cleaved OPN levels and the histological scores (4 weeks: ρ = 0.609, P = 0.036; 8 weeks: ρ = 0.662, P = 0.019; 16 weeks: ρ = 0.827, P = 0.001; 24 weeks: ρ = 0.813, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In this rabbit model of PCLT, thrombin-cleaved OPN levels in SF appear to provide a useful marker of OA disease severity and progression.

The correlation between the oral glucose tolerance test 30-minutes plasma glucose and risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases: a cross-sectional epidemiological study of diabetes in Fujian Province in the South-East of China

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the correlation between abnormal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) 30-min plasma glucose (PG) and risk factors and metabolic abnormalities of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

METHODS

Participants (no.=2457) underwent a physical examination, blood biochemistry examination, OGTT, and a 12-lead electrocardiogram. We measured fasting PG (FPG) and PG at 30 min (30minPG) and 1 h (1hPG) of the OGTT. The association between an increase in 30minPG (by 1 SD) and the metabolic abnormalities of diabetes and CVD such as hypertension, overweight and obesity, central obesity, and hyperlipidemia; osteoporosis was assessed by logistic regression analysis after controlling for FPG and 2hPG.

RESULTS

This analysis showed that an increase of 30minPG by 1 SD (1.92 mmol/l) significantly increased the risk of chronic metabolic abnormalities in diabetes and CVD such as hypertension, overweight, and obesity, central obesity, hyperlipidemia, and osteoporosis. Stepwise multiple regression analysis also showed that 30minPG was significantly correlated with male gender, smoking, FPG, 2hPG, total cholesterol, waist/hip ratio, and blood pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

An elevation of 30minPG increased the risk of diabetes and CVD. The increased risk was independent of FPG, 2hPG, age, sex, and smoking status.

Elevated osteopontin level of synovial fluid and articular cartilage is associated with disease severity in knee osteoarthritis patients

OBJECTIVE

To investigate osteopontin (OPN) levels in both synovial fluid and articular cartilage of patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) and their relationship with severity of the disease.

METHOD

Fifty patients aged 48-81 years with knee OA and 10 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Anteroposterior knee radiographs or/and Mankin score were taken to determine the disease severity of the affected knee. The radiographic grading of OA in the knee was performed by using the Kellgren-Lawrence criteria. OPN levels in synovial fluid were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. OPN levels in articular cartilage were assessed by immunohistochemical methods.

RESULTS

Compared to healthy controls, OA patients had higher OPN concentration in synovial fluid (4519.60+/-1830.37, 95%CI 3999.42-5039.79 vs 1179.70+/-303.39, 95%CI 1035.53-1438.74 pg/ml, P<0.001)and articular cartilage(0.6+/-0.06, 95%CI 0.59-0.62 vs 0.43+/-0.07, 95%CI 0.38-0.48, P<0.01). In addition, synovial fluid OPN levels showed a positive correlation with articular cartilage OPN levels (r=0.411, 95%CI 0.150-0.619, P=0.003). Subsequent analysis showed that synovial fluid OPN levels significantly correlated with severity of disease (Spearman's rho=0.581, 95%CI 0.335-0.726, P<0.001). Furthermore, the articular cartilage levels of OPN also correlated with disease severity (Spearman's rho=0.675, 95%CI 0.500-0.808, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

OPN in synovial fluid and articular cartilage is associated with progressive joint damage and is likely to be a useful biomarker for determining disease severity and progression in knee OA.

Diabetes, pre-diabetes and associated risks on Minnesota code-indicated major electrocardiogram abnormality among Chinese: a cross-sectional diabetic study in Fujian province, southeast China

The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), impaired glucose regulation (IGR) and related metabolic disorders (overweight, obesity and hypertension) in a Chinese population (20-74 years old). An additional goal was to investigate the relationship between glucose metabolism and the Minnesota code-indicated major abnormal electrocardiogram (MA-ECG). There were 3960 individuals selected from urban and rural areas of Fujian, China from July 2007 to May 2008 by multistage-stratified sampling. Ultimately, data from 3208 subjects (20-74 years old) were analysed (including physical measurements, blood biochemical analysis, oral glucose tolerance test and 12-lead resting ECG). According to World Health Organization diagnostic criteria, the prevalence rates of DM and IGR were 9.51% (male, 10.08%; female, 9.14%) and 14.40% (male, 14.48%; female, 14.35%) respectively. Newly diagnosed DM was found in 53.44% of the diabetic subjects. Based on the 2000 China census, the age-standardized prevalence rates of DM and IGR were 7.19% (male, 7.74%; female, 6.61%) and 11.96 % (male, 12.35%; female, 11.56%) respectively. The age-standardized prevalence rates of DM and IGR in urban areas (7.74% and 12.97% respectively) were slightly but no significantly higher than in rural areas (6.67%, 10.86%). The prevalence rates of overweight, obesity and hypertension were 25.50%, 3.52% and 28.52% respectively (age- and sex- standardized rates: 23.69%, 3.02 % and 22.45 %). After adjusting for other confounding risk factors, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that DM and impaired glucose tolerance were independent risk factors for MA-ECG. Non-diabetic subjects with increased 30-min plasma glucose (PG) after an oral glucose load had a higher risk of MA-ECG after adjusting for other risk factors, especially in those with normal glucose tolerance but with 30-min PG >or= 7.8 mmol L(-1) (odds ratio = 1.371 [1.055-1.780]). The prevalence rates of DM and IGR as well as other metabolic disorders have increased dramatically in the last decade in China, especially in rural areas, with many undiagnosed cases of DM. Even slightly elevated PG levels may predict early cardiovascular events.

The effects of stress and stress hormones on human cognition: Implications for the field of brain and cognition

In this review, we report on studies that have assessed the effects of exogenous and endogenous increases in stress hormones on human cognitive performance. We first describe the history of the studies on the effects of using exogenous stress hormones such as glucocorticoids as anti-inflammatory medications on human cognition and mental health. Here, we summarize the cases that led to the diagnosis of glucocorticoid-induced 'steroid psychosis' in human populations and which demonstrated that these stress hormones could thus cross the blood-brain barrier and access the brain where they could influence cognition and mental health. We then summarize studies that assessed the effects of the exogenous administration of glucocorticoids on cognitive performance supported by the hippocampus, the frontal lobes and amygdala. In the second section of the paper, we summarize the effects of the endogenous release of glucocorticoids induced by exposure to a stressful situation on human cognition and we further dissociate the effects of emotion from those of stress on human learning and memory. Finally, in the last section of the paper, we discuss the potential impact that the environmental context to which we expose participants when assessing their memory could have on their reactivity to stress and subsequent cognitive performance. In order to make our point, we discuss the field of memory and aging and we suggest that some of the 'age-related memory impairments' observed in the literature could be partly due to increased stress reactivity in older adults to the environmental context of testing. We also discuss the inverse negative correlations reported between hippocampal volume and memory for young and older adults and suggest that these inverse correlations could be partly due to the effects of contextual stress in young and older adults, as a function of age-related differences in hippocampal volume.

Precipitation variability in the Meuse basin in relation to atmospheric circulation

The distribution of precipitation events in the Meuse basin during the past century has been found to reflect the large-scale atmospheric circulation, as characterised by the Grosswetterlagen system. Statistical analysis of the long observation records (1911-2002) for the basin showed that although the annual (November to October) and winter half-year (November to April) frequencies of wet days > or = 1 mm/day) were nearly stable, the associated precipitation amounts have significantly increased since 1980. From 1980 onwards, the very wet days (> or = 10 mm/day) in the winter half-year have become more frequent. No obvious change was identified for the summer half-year (May to October) very wet days. Both the precipitation amounts of wet and very wet days in the winter half-year and the occurrence of associated atmospheric circulation of the types/sub-types west cyclone, southwest cyclone and northwest cyclone showed a significant increase around 1980.

High power single frequency 780nm laser source generated from frequency doubling of a seeded fiber amplifier in a cascade of PPLN crystals

We report on the generation of over 900 mW of tunable cw light at 780 nm by single pass frequency doubling of a high power fiber amplifier in a cascade of two periodically poled Lithium Niobate (PPLN) crystals. Over 500 mW is generated in the first crystal. In the limit of low pump power, we observe an efficiency of 4.6 mW/W2-cm for a single crystal, and 5.6 mW/W2-cm for a combination of two crystals, with an enhancement of the doubling efficiency observed with two crystals due to the presence of second harmonic light from the first crystal acting as a seed for the second. We have frequency locked this laser source relative to a rubidium D2 hyperfine line and demonstrated its utility in a sophisticated laser cooling apparatus.

An integrated "4-phase" approach for setting endocrine disruption screening priorities--phase I and II predictions of estrogen receptor binding affinity

Recent legislation mandates the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a screening and testing program for potential endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), of which xenoestrogens figure prominently. Under the legislation, a large number of chemicals will undergo various in vitro and in vivo assays for their potential estrogenicity, as well as other hormonal activities. There is a crucial need for priority setting before this strategy can be effectively implemented. Here we report an integrated computational approach to priority setting using estrogen receptor (ER) binding as an example. This approach rationally integrates different predictive computational models into a "Four-Phase" scheme so that it can effectively identify potential estrogenic EDCs based on their predicted ER relative binding affinity (RBA). The system has been validated using an in-house ER binding assay dataset for 232 chemicals that was designed to have both broad structural diversity and a wide range of binding affinities. When applied to 58,000 chemicals identified by Walker et al. as candidates for endocrine disruption screening, some 9100 chemicals were predicted to bind to ER. Of these, only 3600 were expected to bind to ER at RBA values up to 100,000-fold less than that of 17beta-estradiol. The method ruled out 83% of the chemicals as non-binders with a very low rate of false negatives. We believe that the same integrated scheme will be equally applicable to endpoints of other endocrine disrupting mechanisms, e.g. androgen receptor binding.

Preparation and blood compatibility of polysiloxane/liquid-crystal composite membranes

Polysiloxane/liquid crystal composite membrane was first suggested to be used as biomaterials. In this work, the polydimethyl-methylhydrosiloxane and polydimethyl-methylethylenesilosiane, as a substrate, were blended with cholesteryl oleyl carbonate (COC) in tetrahydrofuran, and then crosslinked into membranes on glass plates by means of the platinum catalyst at 110 degrees C for 20 min. The effects of the liquid-crystal content in composite membranes on the formation of liquid-crystal phase were verified by the observation of optical polarization microscopy. The relationship between the morphology of the composite membranes and blood compatibility was identified by the dynamic blood-clotting tests, haemolysis ratio measurement, platelet adhesion and SEM observation. The results show that the blood-compatibility of composite membranes with the concentration of liquid crystal 20, 30% (wt) is more excellent than that of other composite membranes.

[Effect of the decoction of tribulus terrestris on mice gluconeogenesis]

The decoction of Tribulus terresteis could significantly inhibit the gluconeogenesis and influence glycometabolism on normal mice. The decoction could also reduce the level of triglyceride and the content of cholesterol in the plasma.

[Molecular cloning and three-dimensional structure modelling of HLA-DRalpha * 0101, DRbeta1 * 04051 and DRbeta1 * 07011]

AIM

To study the correlation between the differences of three-dimensional structures among different HLA loci and their functions, and to investigate the potential usage of HLA conformational differences in predicting the occurrence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).

METHODS

Total RNA were extracted from human peripheral blood, and reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) were used to amplify the whole gene sequences of HLA-DR loci, and the PCR products were linked to vector and transformed to E.coli, and then sequencing. HLA-DR second exon amino acid sequences were inputted to computer, through internet to SWISS-MODELLING molecular modelling server to model their three-dimensional structure.

RESULTS

The whole HLA-DR loci sequences were successfully reversibly transcript from 2 normal unrelated donors. The sequencing results were completely identical to the published sequences of HLA-DRalpha * 0101, DRbeta1 * 04051 and DRbeta1 * 07011. The modelling results of the later two indicated that there were significant differences between their structures.

CONCLUSION

The sequencing analysis of the whole HLA loci could clearly designate HLA allelic types, and three-dimensional structure modelling could directly identify the differences among them. Therefore, this study provide experimental foundation to the study of HLA structure and function, and uo the study of predicting GVHD after HLA incompletely matched hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Immunolocalization and possible effect of a moth allatotropin-like substance in a fly, Phormia regina (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Insect allatotropin upregulates the biosynthesis of juvenile hormones by the corpus allatum. We raised two rabbit antisera against the allatotropin of Manduca sexta (Mas AT) using a synthetic, multiple-antigenic-peptide that contains a branching heptalysine core and eight Mas AT molecules. Both antisera recognized specifically the same neurons in the larval brain, frontal ganglion and terminal abdominal ganglion of M. sexta as previously reported by others. Immunoassay showed reactivity specific to the Mas AT. Very low or nearly no cross-reactivity was found for two Mas AT-like peptides, a myotropin from Locusta migratoria and a Mas AT-like peptide deduced from the DNA sequence of Aedes aegypti, respectively. Immunopositive neurons also were identified in adult Phormia regina, Dacus dorsalis, Oncopeltus fasciatus, and Mythimna loreyi, and in larval M. loreyi, Bombyx mori, and Andraca bipunctata. At 20 pmol per 25 µl incubation medium (i.e. 8x10(-7) M), synthetic Mas AT significantly stimulated in vitro juvenile hormone biosynthesis by the corpus allatum of adult, sugar-fed females of P. regina to 2.64-fold that of controls. Thus, this study provides the first demonstration that at the higher end of the physiological concentration range, the Mas AT has allatotropic effect in vitro to CA of non-lepidopterans. However, in vivo functions of Mas AT and/or Mas AT-like peptide in P. regina remain to be defined.

[The expression of interleukin-6 mRNA and autosecretion in human leukemic cells]

OBJECTIVE

To make a comprehensive and systematic study on the constructive expression of IL-6 mRNA and IL-6 autosecretion in human leukemic cells and discuss the effect of IL-6 autosecretion on the specific binding of IL-6-PE40 fusion protein to targeted leukemic cells.

METHODS

Semi-quantitative RT-PCR, sequencing and ELISA were used to detect the constructive expression of IL-6 mRNA and autosecretion level of IL-6 protein in human leukemic cell lines, such as U937, HL60, KG1, TF1, K562, HuT28, CEM and Raji.

RESULTS

The relative expression level of IL-6 mRNA in myelocytic, monocytic and erythrocytic leukemic cell lines including HL60, U937, KG1 and TF1 and lymphoblastic leukemic cell lines such as CEM, HuT28 and Raji is very weak, ranging from 0.03 to 0.07. However, K562, an chronic myelocytic leukemic cell line, had the highest level 1.25 among the 8 leukemic cell lines and the level was also higher than that of the positive control U266 multiple myeloma cell line. Based on ELISA assay of IL-6, there were remarkable differences between the 8 leukemic cell lines, their secretion of IL-6 could be divided into 3 levels, i.e. high, moderate and low secretion type.

CONCLUSION

These observations imply that the intrinsic expression and secretion of IL-6 differ obviously among different leukemic cell lines. Autocrine IL-6 may prevent IL-6-PE40 fusion protein from specific binding to targeted leukemic cells and consequently affect its specific killing toxicity.

[Clinical study of prophylactic cranial irradiation for small-cell lung cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To study the influence of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) on survival and brain metastases in patients with limited small-cell lung cancer (SCLC).

METHODS

Fiftyone patients with limited SCLC under complete remission after chemoradiotherapy were randomly divided into prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) group (n = 26) and control group (n = 25). Patients in PCI group received irradiation at a dose of 25.2-30.6 Gy. Survival rates were analyzed and compared by life table and Long-Rank, incidence of cranial metastases by chi 2 test.

RESULTS

The clinical features of patients such as age, sex, effect of treatment before PCI were similar between the two groups. The incidence of cranial metastases was 3.8% in PCI group in contrast to 28% in the control group (P < 0.05). The 1, 2, 3-year survival rate was 84.6%, 73.1%, 42.3% respectively in PCI group and 72%, 40%, 32% respectively in the control group. The differences between the two groups of petients were statistically insignificant. No serious sequela was observed in patients receiving PCI.

CONCLUSION

PCI decreases the incidence of cranial metastases for patients with limited SCLC following complete response to chemoradiotherapy, but it does not improve survival.

Predicted changes in pre-mRNA secondary structure vary in their association with exon skipping for mutations in exons 2, 4, and 8 of the Hprt gene and exon 51 of the fibrillin gene

Exon skipping that accompanies exonic mutation might be caused by an effect of the mutation on pre-mRNA secondary structure. Previous attempts to associate predicted secondary structure of pre-mRNA with exon skipping have been hindered by either a small number of available mutations, sub-optimal structures, or weak effects on exon skipping. This report identifies more extensive sets of mutations from the human and hamster Hprt gene whose association with exon skipping is clear. Optimal secondary structures of the wild-type and mutant pre-mRNA surrounding each exon were predicted by energy minimization and were compared by energy dot plots. A significant association was found between the occurrence of exon skipping and the disruption of a stem containing the acceptor site consensus sequences of exon 8 of the human Hprt gene. However, no change in secondary structure was associated with skipping of exon 4 of the hamster Hprt gene. Using updated energy parameters we found a different structure than that previously reported for exon 2 of the hamster Hprt gene. In contrast to the previously reported structure, no significant association was found between predicted structural changes and skipping of exon 2. For all three Hprt exons studied, there was a significantly greater number of deoxythymidine substitutions among mutations accompanied by exon skipping than among mutations without exon skipping. For exon 8, deoxythymidine substitution was also associated with structural changes in the stem containing the acceptor site consensus sequences. For exon 51 of the human fibrillin gene, structural differences from wild type were predicted for all four mutations accompanied by exon skipping that were not were predicted for a single mutation without exon skipping. Our results suggest that both primary and secondary pre-mRNA structure contribute to definition of Hprt exons, which may involve exonic splicing enhancers.

Tissue distribution of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor alpha derivative in mice

AIM

To study the tissue distribution and its mechanism of a new recombinant tumor necrosis factor alpha derivative (rhTNF alpha Da) in mice.

METHODS

125I-rhTNF alpha Da was prepared by Iodogen method. Tissue distribution of 125I-rhTNF alpha Da in mice was studied by determining radioactivity of tetrachloroacetic acid (TCA)- precipitable fraction in tissues. The isolated heart-lung perfusion study using 125I-rhTNF alpha Da perfusate was carried out to study the distribution characteristics of 125I-rhTNF alpha Da in lung.

RESULTS

Except for thyroid, AUC of the TCA-precipitable 125I-rhTNF alpha Da in tissues was highest in lung, which was 12.2-fold of that in serum, while concentrations in other tissues were all lower than that in serum. Perfusion study in vitro revealed that the concentration of radio-labeled peptide in lung was higher than that in perfusate. On the contrary, level in heart was much lower than that in perfusate. The overall distribution of 125I-rhTNF alpha Da in lungs showed rapidly equilibratory, dose-dependent, saturable, competitive, and highly affinitive, with Kd 47.6 pmol.L-1 and Bmax 348 fmol.g-1 (lung tissue).

CONCLUSION

The specific distribution of rhTNF alpha Da in lungs was its distinctive characteristics.

Diversity analysis of 14 156 molecules tested by the National Cancer Institute for anti-HIV activity using the quantitative structure-activity relational expert system MCASE

Using the MCASE program, a procedure to analyze the diversity of the large amount of available HIV-1 antiviral data was proposed. A subset of 1 819 chemicals was logically selected from the original 14 156 chemicals tested by NCI. This subset of chemicals was shown to contain most of the structural and the functional information of the original database. A full analysis of the 1 819 chemicals by the MCASE program produced a correlation between chemical structures and HIV antiviral activity. In our model, 74 fragments were identified as being responsible for all the chemical's HIV antiviral activity. These fragments may be related to different inhibiting mechanisms, some known and some probably still unknown. The expert system resulting from this analysis can be used to predict the activity of new chemicals and to design new agents that can target multiple enzymes. This was shown to be the case by using the model to predict the activity of 10 diverse chemicals whose activities were not known at the time of model development. Of these, 8 were predicted in agreement with experimental observations. As far as we can tell, this is probably the first project ever to attempt to create a quantitative model of activity for such a massive database of diverse chemicals.

Pharmacokinetics of recombinant human interleukin-3 in rhesus monkeys

Concentration-time profiles of(125)I-labeled recombinant human interleukin-3 ((125)1rhIL-3) were determined by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RHPLC) after intravenous and subcutaneous administration of the drug in 16 rhesus monkeys. The initial and terminalT (1/2) in plasma after intravenous of 30 mug/kg were (0.15 +/- 0.13) and (2.21 +/- 0.59) h, respectively. Terminal half-lives after 30, 90 and 180 mug/kg subcutaneous (s. c.) injections were 2. 0-3. 8 h. Area under concentration-time curves (AUC) following s. c. were roughly increased with dose, while CL(s) were similar among different dosages. The absorption rates were dependent on concentration at injected site. Bioavailability was about 0.7 after s. c. Rapid biodegradation was found in plasma. Distribution profiles of total radioactivity were as follows: the highest level was found in urinary system; levels in bile-enteric system, lymph nodes, bone marrow and spleen were near to that in plasma, and level in brain was the lowest. The RH-PLC analysis revealed that kidney was one of the major organs for biodegradation.

META. 3. A genetic algorithm for metabolic transform priorities optimization

META is a knowledge-based expert system that simulates the biotransformation of xenobiotics. It operates with the help of a dictionary (knowledge base) to seek target fragments in a compound and transform them to products. Here, a genetic algorithm is introduced to help build the knowledge base and optimize the performance of the methodology.

MODULATION OF NEGATIVE WORK OUTPUT FROM A STEERING MUSCLE OF THE BLOWFLY CALLIPHORA VICINA

Of the 17 muscles responsible for flight control in flies, only the first basalar muscle (b1) is known to fire an action potential each and every wing beat at a precise phase of the wing-beat period. The phase of action potentials in the b1 is shifted during turns, implicating the b1 in the control of aerodynamic yaw torque. We used the work loop technique to quantify the effects of phase modulation on the mechanical output of the b1 of the blowfly Calliphora vicina. During cyclic length oscillations at 10 and 50 Hz, the magnitude of positive work output by the b1 was similar to that measured previously from other insect muscles. However, when tested at wing-beat frequency (150 Hz), the net work performed in each cycle was negative. The twitch kinetics of the b1 suggest that negative work output reflects intrinsic specializations of the b1 muscle. Our results suggest that, in addition to a possible role as a passive elastic element, the phase-sensitivity of its mechanical properties may endow the b1 with the capacity to modulate wing-beat kinematics during turning maneuvers.

Spatial frequency in speckle metrology

Speckle metrology, as applied to whole field displacement measurements, has been reviewed from the point of view of the relevant frequency domain. It is shown that spatial frequency defines sensitivity and resolution for both pointwise and whole field analysis. Theory and experimental results indicate several ways in which sensitivity can be increased to values comparable with those obtained with moire interferometry. Grating objective speckle measurements have yielded displacement resolutions of <0.6 mum.

Developmental incompatibility between cell nucleus and cytoplasm as revealed by nuclear transplantation experiments in teleost of different families and orders

Teleosts from different families and orders were used as materials for nuclear transplantation experiments. (1) The nuclei of goldfish (Carassius auratus, family Cyprinidae, order Cypriniformes) were transplanted into the enucleated egg cytoplasm of loach (Paramisgurnus dabryanus, family Cobitidae, order Cypriniformes) and vice-versa. (2) The nuclei of Tilapia (oreochromis nilotica, order Perciformes) were transplanted into the enucleated egg cytoplasm of goldfish (Carassius auratus, order Cypriniformes). The chromosome number of the nucleus donor fish is different from that of the cytoplasmic recipient fish in each of the two combinations. In the first case, only a few early nucleo-cytoplasmic hybrid (NCH) larval fish were obtained in each combination. In second case, even though a high percentage of NCH blastulas were also obtained, the majority of them died at the same developmental stage, except a few which survived until early gastrula stage. The examination of the metaphase chromosome figures of the NCH blastulas or embryos obtained in all three combinations indicated that they were of nucleus-donor type. The developmental rates of all the NCH eggs were similar to those of cytoplasmic-recipient type. Scanning electronmicroscopy examination showed that the morphology of NCH blastula cells, which were obtained from the combination of Tilapia nucleus and goldfish cytoplasm, manifested obviously abnormal features and the cells were arrested at different stages of cell disintegration. Two-dimension polyacrylamide gel electrophoretograms of the homogenates of Tilapia, goldfish and their NCH blastula cells showed that the protein synthetic pattern of NCH blastula was similar to that of Tilapia nucleus type. The results of experiments which failed to obtain NCH adult fish in all three combinations can be explained as a result of developmental incompatibility between the donor nucleus and the enucleated recipient egg cytoplasm, which were from distantly related fish species. And the chromosome numbers of all the component fish of the three combinations which were examined in the experiment and shown to be quite different from each other in the tested fish, should not be overlooked as one of the essential factors causing the developmental incompatibility in NCH fish in this experiment.

Grating speckle method for in-plane displacement measurement

A high sensitivity technique combining lensless speckle photography and a grid technique is proposed and demonstrated. A high frequency grid is applied to the specimen surface and contact specklegrams are made in white light before and after loading, in the double exposure mode. Subsequent optical processing yields the various components of in-plane displacement. The sensitivity can be chosen equivalent to the grid frequency or multiples thereof. The method is simple and gives low-noise fringe patterns with high contrast. It is suitable for application in the mechanical laboratory and field environments, because vibration isolation precautions are not necessary.

Fabrication of holographic gratings using a moving point source

In the manufacture of holographic gratings using coherent light there is an associated problem of optical noise, the conventional remedies for which involve various restrictions. In this work a moving point source is adopted and analysis indicates that if the path is a circle several of these restrictions are removed. The scheme is implemented and the results are highly satisfactory with high-efficiency gratings being produced at frequencies up to 2400 lines/mm, in sizes up to 65 mm square. Significant operational advantages also accrue in relation to alignment procedures and light utilization.