Factors influencing herpes zoster vaccination among older people in China: results from a discrete choice experiment

OBJECTIVES

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent herpes zoster (HZ) and related complications. This study aimed to investigate the preference of HZ vaccine among older people.

STUDY DESIGN

A discrete choice experiment was performed.

METHODS

In total, 178 adults aged ≥50 years were invited to choose between HZ vaccination scenarios using six vaccine attributes. Two equations were used to calculate participants' willingness to pay for the vaccine and their predicted choice probability.

RESULTS

The attributes that significantly influenced participants' vaccine choices were lower cost, higher effectiveness, reduced side-effects and vaccination of others in their surroundings.

CONCLUSIONS

Improving medical insurance coverage or reducing the cost of the HZ vaccine will encourage more people to be vaccinated, resulting in reduced burden of disease among older people.

[Comparative analysis of population distribution, severity, emotional, and cognitive characteristics among different side idiopathic tinnitus patients]

To provide basis for prevention and treatment by analyzing the clinical features, emotional and cognitive states and their correlations of idiopathic tinnitus. Cross-sectional study was used. Thirty-six right, 44 left, and 46 bilateral idiopathic tinnitus patients diagnosed in Beijing Tongren Hospital were prospectively enrolled from October, 2020 to February, 2022. The clinical data was recorded and the THI, DBI, STAI, and MoCA were evaluated. The clinical features and the incidence of severe tinnitus, hearing lose, anxiety, and cognitive impairment were compared by one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis H, and chi-square test. The correlation between tinnitus or hearing and emotional and cognitive states were evaluated by multivariable correlation analysis. There was no significant difference in age, BMI, years of education, tinnitus duration, and the incidence of hearing loss among groups (F=0.730,P=0.484;F=1.535,P=0.219;F=1.506,P=0.226;χ²=4.242,P=0.120;χ²=6.672,P=0.083). In right, left, and bilateral tinnitus patients, the number of severe tinnitus was 12, 7, and 20 cases and the incidence was 33.3%, 15.9%, and 43.5%; the number of depression was 13, 14, and 26 cases and incidence was 36.1%, 31.8%, and 53.5%; the number of trait anxiety was 3, 2, and 10 cases and the incidence was 8.3%, 4.5%, and 21.7%. Compared with left tinnitus patients, the incidence of severe tinnitus, depression, and trait anxiety was higher in bilateral tinnitus patients (χ²=8.139,P=0.004;χ²=5.558,P=0.018;χ²=5.753,P=0.007). The incidence of state anxiety and cognitive impairment were no significant difference among groups (χ²=0.142,P=0.931;χ²=1.338,P=0.512). The overall incidence of state anxiety and cognitive impairment were 16.7%(21/126) and 37.3%(47/126) respectively. There was positive correlation between THI score and BDI, S-AI, and T-AI scores (r=0.529,P=0.001; r=0.649,P<0.001; r=0.483,P=0.003) and negative correlation between THI and MoCA scores (r=-0.364,P=0.029) in right tinnitus group. The positive correlation was found between THI score and BDI, S-AI, and T-AI scores in left tinnitus group (r=0.508,P<0.001; r=0.506,P<0.001; r=0.357,P=0.017). The positive correlation between THI score and BDI, S-AI, and T-AI scores (r=0.753,P<0.001; r=0.527,P<0.001; r=0.536,P<0.001) and the positive correlation between tinnitus duration and MoCA score(r=0.334,P=0.023) were also found in bilateral tinnitus group.

[Study of the inhibitory effect of cell entry inhibitory ezetimibe on hepatitis B virus in vitro]

Objective: To study the inhibitory effect of ezetimibe in an experimental model of human hepatoma cell line (HepaRG) infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) positive human serum in vitro. Methods: Mature HepaRG cells were divided into a treatment group (received drugs) and a control group (did not receive drugs). In the ezetimibe prevention experiment, the cells in the treatment group was treated with drugs 2 h before infection and 24 h during infection. In the ezetimibe treatment experiment, the cells in the treatment group were treated with drugs for 6 ~ 10 days continuously after 24 hours of HBV infection. The expression of HBV DNA and intracellular cccDNA in the supernatant was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) content in the cell supernatant were detected by chemiluminescence. Analysis of variance was used to compare the differences between multiple groups. Pairwise comparisons among groups were followed by t- test with normal distribution. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Ezetimibe prevention experiment showed that compared with control group, the treatment group was added with 20, 60, and 100 μmol/L ezetimibe before and during infection, and the HBV DNA content in the supernatant 2 days before was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in the treatment group. Compared with the control group, the HBsAg expression level 2 days before was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) with the addition of 60 μmol/L ezetimibe in the treatment group. Compared with the control group, the expression level of intracellular cccDNA was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) after 10 days with the addition of 100μmol/L ezetimibe in the treatment group. Ezetimibe treatment experiment showed that cccDNA content in the cells were significantly lowered with the immediate addition of 60μmol/L ezetimibe 24 hours after infection for 10 days when compared to control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Ezetimibe, as a cytosolic inhibitor, has a certain inhibitory effect on hepatitis B virus infection in both prevention and treatment experiment.

[Construction of chemical information database based on optical structure recognition technique]

OBJECTIVE

To create a protocol that could be used to construct chemical information database from scientific literature quickly and automatically.

METHODS

Scientific literature, patents and technical reports from different chemical disciplines were collected and stored in PDF format as fundamental datasets. Chemical structures were transformed from published documents and images to machine-readable data by using the name conversion technology and optical structure recognition tool CLiDE. In the process of molecular structure information extraction, Markush structures were enumerated into well-defined monomer molecules by means of QueryTools in molecule editor ChemDraw. Document management software EndNote X8 was applied to acquire bibliographical references involving title, author, journal and year of publication. Text mining toolkit ChemDataExtractor was adopted to retrieve information that could be used to populate structured chemical database from figures, tables, and textual paragraphs. After this step, detailed manual revision and annotation were conducted in order to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the data. In addition to the literature data, computing simulation platform Pipeline Pilot 7.5 was utilized to calculate the physical and chemical properties and predict molecular attributes. Furthermore, open database ChEMBL was linked to fetch known bioactivities, such as indications and targets. After information extraction and data expansion, five separate metadata files were generated, including molecular structure data file, molecular information, bibliographical references, predictable attributes and known bioactivities. Canonical simplified molecular input line entry specification as primary key, metadata files were associated through common key nodes including molecular number and PDF number to construct an integrated chemical information database.

RESULTS

A reasonable construction protocol of chemical information database was created successfully. A total of 174 research articles and 25 reviews published in Marine Drugs from January 2015 to June 2016 collected as essential data source, and an elementary marine natural product database named PKU-MNPD was built in accordance with this protocol, which contained 3 262 molecules and 19 821 records.

CONCLUSION

This data aggregation protocol is of great help for the chemical information database construction in accuracy, comprehensiveness and efficiency based on original documents. The structured chemical information database can facilitate the access to medical intelligence and accelerate the transformation of scientific research achievements.

Changes in flowering functional group affect responses of community phenological sequences to temperature change

Our ability to predict how temperature modifies phenology at the community scale is limited by our lack of understanding of responses by functional groups of flowering plants. These responses differ among species with different life histories. We performed a reciprocal transplant experiment along four elevation gradients (e.g., 3,200, 3,400, 3,600 and 3,800 m) to investigate the effects of warming (transferred downward) and cooling (transferred upward) on plant flowering functional groups (FFGs) and community phenological sequences (i.e., seven phenological events). Warming significantly decreased early-spring-flowering (ESF) plant coverage and increased mid-summer-flowering plant (MSF) coverage, while cooling had the opposite effect. All community phenological events were advanced by warming and delayed by cooling except for the date of complete leaf-coloring, which showed the opposite response. Warming and cooling could cause greater advance or delay in early-season phenological events of the community through increased coverage of MSF species, and warming could delay late-season phenological events of the community by increased coverage of ESF species. These results suggested that coverage change of FFGs in the community induced by temperature change could mediate the responses of the community phenological events to temperature change in the future. The response of phenological events to temperature change at the species level may not be sufficient to predict phenological responses at the community-level due to phenological compensation between species in the community.

Effects of CYP3A5 and CYP2D6 genetic polymorphism on the pharmacokinetics of diltiazem and its metabolites in Chinese subjects

PURPOSE

To assess the possibility of using CYP2D6 10 +/- CYP3A5*3 as biomarkers to predict the pharmacokinetics of diltiazem and its two metabolites among healthy Chinese subjects. METHODS 41 healthy Chinese were genotyped for CYP3A5 3 and CYP2D6 10, and then received a single oral dose of diltiazem hydrochloride capsules (300 mg). Multiple blood samples were collected over 48 h, and the plasma concentrations of diltiazem, N-desmethyl diltiazem and desacetyl diltiazem were determined by HPLC-MS/MS. The relationships between the genotypes and pharmacokinetics were investigated.

RESULTS

The pharmacokinetics of diltiazem, N-desmethyl diltiazem were not significantly affected by both CYP3A5 3 and CYP2D6*10 alleles. However, the systemic exposure of the pharmacologyically active metabolites, desacetyl diltiazem, was 2-fold higher in CYP2D6 10/10 genotype carriers than in 1/10 or 1/1 ones (AUC(o-inf) of CYP2D6 1/1, 1/10 and 10/10 are 398.2 +/- 162.9, 371,0 69.2 and 726.2 +/- 468.1 respectively, p <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Two of the most frequent alleles, CYP3A5 3 and CYP2D6 10, among Chinese do not have major impacts on the disposition of diltiazem and N-desmethyl diltiazem. However, the desacetyl diltiazem showed 2-fold accumulation in individuals with CYP2D6 10/10 genotype. Despite this, the effect of genotype of CYP2D6 on clinical outcome of diltiazem treatment is expected to be limited.

A novel membrane-permeant cADPR antagonist modified in the pyrophosphate bridge

A concise method for the formation of cyclopyrophosphate of cIDPRE as well as sulfur and selenium-substituted pyrophosphate cIDPRE analogues (P(1)(S)-cIDPRE, P(1)(Se)-cIDPRE, P(2)(S)-cIDPRE and P(2)(Se)-cIDPRE) was reported and one of the P(S)-diastereoisomers, P(1)(S)-cIDPRE-1, is a novel membrane-permeant cADPR antagonist.

Study of the OPRM1 A118G genetic polymorphism associated with postoperative nausea and vomiting induced by fentanyl intravenous analgesia

BACKGROUND

Genetic polymorphisms of the μ-opioid receptor gene OPRM1 A118G have been shown to influence opioid efficacy. The association of the OPRM1 A118G genetic polymorphism with side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, caused by opioids during analgesia has not been well-represented by the literature . This study aimed to investigate whether the genetic polymorphism of OPRM1 A118G contributed to the variability in nausea and vomiting during fentanyl analgesia in patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy or myomectomy.

METHODS

One hundred sixty-five women, of Han nationality, aged 20-50 yrs, of ASA I or II, and scheduled for elective total abdominal hysterectomy or myomectomy under general anesthesia were enrolled. Intravenous fentanyl, patient-controlled analgesia was provided postoperatively for pain control. The presence and scores of postoperative nausea and vomiting for 24 hours were recorded and measured using rating scales. Pain was measured with a visual analog scale, and fentanyl consumption over 24 hours was recorded, as well. Genotyping of the A118G allele was conducted by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), and patients were divided into three groups according to their genotype.

RESULTS

The frequency of the A118G allele was 32.4% for the patients in this study. Patients homozygous for 118G required more fentanyl to achieve adequate pain relief compared with the other two patient groups (patients homozygous for 118A and heterozygous). However, there were no statistically significant differences among the frequencies and scores of nausea and vomiting.

CONCLUSION

OPRM1 A118G has no effect on the individual variation of postoperative nausea and vomiting, the side effects of fentanyl analgesia, in Chinese women undergoing gynecologic surgery.

Investigation of the binding behaviors of isonucleoside-incorporated oligonucleotides with complementary sequences

Oligonucleotides consisting of isonucleoside 2',5'-anhydro-3'-nucleobase-D-mannitol incorporated in 1'→4' linkage mode were synthesized. Their binding behaviors with complementary sequences were investigated via thermal denaturation and CD spectra. 6' O-methyl-2',5'-anhydro-3'-(thymin-1-yl)-D-mannitol incorporated oligonucleotide was also synthesized to investigate the effect of hydroxy groups of isonucleosides on duplex formation. The results showed that the 6'-OH free isonucleosidemodified oligonucleotide was able to form a B-like duplex with 3'→5' complementary native oligodeoxynucleotide in the 1'→4' direction. The free hydroxy group in the isonucleoside made a significant contribution to the affinity of the modified oligonucleotide to the complementary sequence, which was confirmed by molecular dynamics simulation.

Expression, deletion [was deleton] and mutation of p16 gene in human gastric cancer

AIM

To investigate the relationship between the expression of p16 gene and the gastric carcinogenesis, depth of invasion and lymph node metastases, and to evaluate the deletion and mutation of exon 2 in p16 gene in gastric carcinoma.

METHODS

The expression of p16 protein was examined by streptavidin-peroxidase conjugated method (S-P);the deletion and mutation of p16 gene were respectively examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis (PCR-SSCP) in gastric carcinoma.

RESULTS

Expression of p16 protein was detected in 96.25% (77/80) of the normal gastric mucosa, in 92.00% (45/50) of the dysplastic gastric mucosa and in 47.54% (58/122) of the gastric carcinoma. The positive rate of p16 protein expression in gastric carcinoma was significantly lower than that in normal gastric mucosa and dysplastic gastric mucosa (P < 0.05). The positive rate of p16 protein expression in mucoid carcinoma 10.00% (1/10) was significantly lower than that in poorly differentiated carcinoma 51.22% (21/41), undifferentiated carcinoma 57.69% (15/26) and signet ring cell carcinoma 62.50% (10/16) (P < 0.05). The positive rate of p16 protein in 30 cases paired primary and lymph node metastatic gastric carcinoma: There was 46.67% (14/30) in primary gastric carcinoma, 16.67% (5/30) in lymph node metastatic gastric carcinoma. The positive rate of lymph node metastatic carcinoma was significantly lower than that of primary carcinoma (P < 0.05). There was of p16 gene mutation in exon 2, but 5 cases displayed deletion of p16 gene in exon 2 in the 25 primary gastric carcinomas.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression loss of p16 protein related to the gastric carcinogenesis, gastric carcinoma histopathological subtypes and lymph metastasis. The mutation of p16 gene in exon 2 may not be involved in gastric carcinogenesis. But the deletion of p16 gene in exon 2 may be involved in gastric carcinogenesis.

Hybrid characteristics of oligonucleotides consisting of isonucleoside 2',5'-anhydro-3'-deoxy-3'-(thymin-1-yl)-D-mannitol with different linkage modes

Oligonucleotides consisting of the isonucleoside repeating unit 2',5'-anhydro-3'-deoxy-3'-(thymin-1-yl)-D-mannitol (4) were synthesized with the monomeric unit 4 incorporated into oligonucleotides as 1'-->4' linkage 4a (oligomer I) or 6'-->4' linkage 4b (oligomer II). The hybrid properties of the two oligonucleotides I and II with their complementary strands were investigated by thermal denaturation and CD spectra. Oligonucleotide I (4a) formed a stable duplex with d(A)(14) with a slightly reduced T(m) value of 36.6 degrees C, relative to 38.2 degrees C for the control duplex d(T)(14)/d(A)(14), but oligomer II (4b) failed to hybridize with a DNA complementary single strand. The spectrum of the duplex oligomer I/d(A)(14) showed a positive CD band at 217 nm and a negative CD band at 248 nm attributable to a B-like conformation. Molecular modeling showed that in the case of oligomer I: the C6' hydroxy group of each unit could be located in the groove area when hybridized to the DNA single strand, which might contribute additional hydrogen bonding to the stability of duplex formation.

Changes of tissue fluid hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid) in peripheral lymphedema

Hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid or HA) is an important component of the extracellular matrix which is synthesized in the tissue, transported in lymph and catabolized mainly in lymph nodes and the liver. In 39 patients with chronic peripheral lymphedema, the HA content in lymphedematous interstitial fluid was measured using radioimmunoassay. For comparison, the concentration of HA in serum and normal tissue fluid were also determined. These samples were also tested for protein concentration. The results showed that the HA concentration in interstitial fluid of a lymphedema limb was 22 x 10(3) +/- 10(3) (aspiration) and 30 x 10(3) +/- 4 x 10(3) (wick) ng/ml which were significantly higher than that in interstitial fluid, serum and lymph of normal limbs (control) and interstitial fluid of limbs with venous edema (p < 0.001). The protein concentration in these fluids did not show significant differences between lymphedema and those with normal limbs. The findings suggest that HA stagnates in the limb with impaired lymph drainage which may exert a deleterious effect on the interstitium.

Studies on the synthesis and biological activities of 4'-(R)-hydroxy-5'-(S)-hydroxymethyl-tetrahydrofuranyl purines and pyrimidines

A series of 4'-(R)-hydroxy-5'-(S)-hydroxymethyl-tetrahydrofuranyl purines and pyrimidines were synthesized by the reaction of 3,4-epoxy-5-(S,trans)-dimethoxymethyl-tetrahydrofuran and nucleobases under the catalysis of potassium tert-butoxide and 18-crown-6. Compounds 6a, 6c and 7b have shown significant inhibition on the growth of HL-60 cells. The phosphotriester and phosphodiester of isonucleoside 8a-d were synthesized and cytotoxic activities were reported. The conformation of isonucleosides in solution was studied by 1H NMR.

[Antagonistic effect of oleanolic acid on anaphylactic shock]

AIM

To study the antagonistic effect of oleanolic acid (OA) on anaphylactic shock in guinea-pigs sensitized with 6-aminopenicillanic acid (APA)-protein.

METHODS

The anaphylactic shock was achieved by i.p. of APA-protein in guinea pigs. The serum antibody titers of guinea pigs were measured with the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test, and the pulmonary histamine by the method of fluorometric determination. The degranulation of mast cells was examined by rat calvarian periosteum method.

RESULTS

In guinea pigs sensitized with APA-protein, OA 25, 50, 100 mg . kg-1 reduced anaphylactic shock rates from 100% (sensitized control group) to 70%, 18%, and 15% (OA pretreated group), and death rates from 100% to 70%, 18%, and 0%, respectively. OA had an inhibitory effect on the antibody formation and reduced the histamine contents in the lung tissues in the sensitized guinea pigs. In addition, the homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in guinea pigs and the degranulation of mast cells of calvarial periosteum in rats were prevented by OA 25, 50, and 100 mg . kg-1.

CONCLUSION

The antagonistic effect of OA on anaphylactic shock was related to the inhibition of antibody formation and the reduction of histamine contents.

2450 MHz oesophagus applicator with multi-temperature sensors and its temperature-control equipment

A 2450 MHz microwave applicator for heating the oesophagus, complete with temperature monitoring and controlling equipment, is described. The geometrical parameters and performance in both animal experiments and clinical applications are discussed.

[Observation and measurement of coronary arteries of goat]

The coronary arteries of 50 goats were studied by means of angiography and dissection. The results were as follows: The right coronary artery (RCA) and left coronary artery (LCA) arose from the right and left aortic sinuses respectively. At the beginning, the average external diameter of RCA (2.98 +/- 1.02 mm) was smaller than that of LCA (3.42 +/- 0.74 mm). An independent inter ventricular septal artery (in 94%) supplied the upper two-thirds of the inter ventricular septum. The arterial distributive types were divided into three: The LCA was dominant in 96%, symmetrical in 4%, RCA dominant in 0%. Sixty two percent of the S-A node arteries arose from the RCA, 28% from LCA, 10% from both RCA and LCA. All the A-V node arteries originated from the LCA.

[Intraoperative hemodynamics of pyrolytic carbon cambered bileaflet valve replacement in animals]

Pyrolytic carbon cambered bileaflet valve developed by Chengdu University of Technology and Sciences was evaluated for its hemodynamics. The curved surface of the valve leaflet is cylindrical. Under anaesthesia, cardiopulmonary bypass and chemical cardioplegia, a cambered bileaflet valve (i.d. = 16 mm) was replaced at mitral position in each of 12 goats. Before valve replacement, mitral flow rate (MFR) was 74.9 +/- 12.3 ml.sec-1, average valvular pressure drop delta P) 0.56 +/- 0.17 kPa (4.2 +/- 1.3 mmHg) and effective opening area (EOA) of the valve 1.20 +/- 0.18 cm2. After valve replacement, corresponding hemodynamic parameters were 49.3 +/- 12.7 ml.sec-1, 0.46 +/- 0.17 kPa (3.8 +/- 1.3 mmHg) and 0.81 +/- 0.12 cm2 respectively. In our previous report on yak pericardiac heart valve (i.d. = 20 mm) in goats, corresponding hemodynamic parameters after valve replacement were 45.6 +/- 11.8 ml.sec-1, 0.86 +/- 0.32 kpa (6.4 +/- 2.4 mmHg) and 0.65 +/- 0.26 cm2. With comparable mitral flow rate and heart rate (113.6 +/- 19.6 min-1 vs 119.1 +/- 17.1 min-1), the average valvular pressure drop of pyrolytic carbon cambered bileaflet valve is significantly smaller than that of the yak pericardiac valve (P less than 0.001), and the effective opening area is marginally larger than that of the yak pericardiac valve (0.05 less than P less than 0.1). If the same-sized valves of this two kinds are used, the hemodynamic parameter of cambered bileaflet valve would be better than those of yak pericardiac valve. Since the latter valve has been successfully used in patients, the present valve might be applicable in clinical situation.

[An analysis of blood cell pouring on the tongue surface in 3032 healthy persons]

This paper deals with the utilizing laser frequency multiplexing technique and Doppler effect, successfully to build up LDB-1 type of laser microcirculation blood flow meter. It was used to carry on a determination for blood cell pouring amount on tongue surface in 3032 healthy persons. The results were shown as follows. The average tongue blood cell pouring amount of healthy persons was 4.74 +/- 0.50, in which the male was 4.82 +/- 0.50, and the female was 4.66 +/- 0.49. Apparently, there was a great difference between them (P less than 0.01). Following the increase of age, the tongue blood cell pouring amount was gradually decreased. The average blood cell pouring amount of a group of 1-9 years old was 6.14 +/- 0.79, of over 60 years old was 3.89 +/- 0.39 (P less than 0.01). In the light red tongue, the average tongue blood cell pouring amount was 4.95 +/- 0.93, which was considered to be the highest; in the purple tongue, it was 3.96 +/- 0.44 which was considered the lowest. The average pouring amount in the red tongue was 4.94 +/- 0.77, and in the light white tongue was 4.21 +/- 0.52. The more red the tongue showed, the greater the tongue blood cell pouring amount would be; whereas, the more purple the tongue showed, the lower the tongue blood cell pouring amount would be. It obviously indicated that the tongue blood cell pouring amount would be. It obviously indicated that the tongue blood cell pouring amount could correctly reflect the different tongue characters and tongue blood circulation condition.

[Cytogenetic studies on 3 esophageal cancer cell lines]

The cytogenetic studies on three esophageal cancer cell lines established in China were done. Thirty metaphases showing suitable chromosome length and good G-banding pattern from each of the cell lines were chosen and subjected to karyological analysis. The typical karyotypes from these cell lines were listed, and the variation of chromosome number as well as the morphological characteristics, possible sources and the incidence of the marker chromosomes were analysed. Eca 109 is the cell line first established and used extensively in China. A strictly regular karyotype pattern was found in it: the modal number of chromosomes being 63-64; the number of each type of chromosome varying between 1-5; a distal deletion of short arm of chromosome No. 1 being discernible in all metaphases, with break sites located within 1p22-1p33. Also a distal deletion of long arm of chromosome No. 4 was usually visible. There were seven marker chromosomes with high incidence. Among them, M1 marker chromosome was a large subacrocentric chromosome which was observed in the early passages of this cell line. The chromosome number of Ec 17 cell line was usually subtetraploid. In addition to the numerical variation in some of the chromosomes, six marker chromosomes were usually observed. Among them, M1 involved reciprocal translocation between chromosome No. 1 and No. 4. M3 of Ec 17 was in correspondence with M5 of Eca 109. Both were Rob (13q;14q). The chromosome number of Ec 56 was usually subtetraploid, and in addition to the numerical variation in some of the chromosomes, seven marker chromosomes were usually observed.