Hepatocyte transplantation for inherited metabolic diseases of the liver.

Inherited metabolic diseases of the liver are characterized by deficiency of a hepatic enzyme or protein often resulting in life-threatening disease. The remaining liver function is usually normal. For most patients, treatment consists of supportive therapy, and the only curative option is liver transplantation. Hepatocyte transplantation is a promising therapy for patients with inherited metabolic liver diseases, which offers a less invasive and fully reversible approach. Procedure-related complications are rare. Here, we review the experience of hepatocyte transplantation for metabolic liver diseases and discuss the major obstacles that need to be overcome to establish hepatocyte transplantation as a reliable treatment option in the clinic.

[Distribution characteristics of soil organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in densely populated village landscapes of different hilly regions of China].

Based on high spatial resolution remote sensing map (1 m) and sampling with a stratified design on different site types, the effects of fine-scale land use patterns in villages on top soil (0-30 cm) organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) within and across the densely populated hilly landscapes, i. e., Sichuan Hilly Region (SIHR; Jintang County, Sichuan Province), Subtropical Hilly Region (SUHR; Yiyang County, Hunan Province), and Tropical Hilly Region (THR; Dianbai County, Guangdong Province), were investigated. The results showed that soil OC density was decreased in the order of SUHR (2.72 +/- 0.76 kg x m(-2)) > THR (2.65 +/- 0.73 kg x m(-2)) > SIHR (2.15 +/- 0.57 kg x m(-2)), TN density was in the order of SUHR (0.28 +/- 0.06 kg x m(-2)) > SIHR (0.27 +/- 0.06 kg x m(-2) > THR (0.21 +/- 0.06 kg x m(-2)), and TP density was in the order of SIHR (0.19 +/- 0.04 kg x m(-2)) > SUHR (0.11 +/- 0.03 kg x m(-2)) > THR (0.08 +/- 0.04 kg x m(-2)). The fine-scale landscape units (ecotopes) with the highest soil OC, TN and/or TP stocks were rainfed annual crops in SIHR, paddy rice in SUHR, and open canopy trees and brush in THR, respectively. In all hilly regions, paddy and forest land use classes had the highest soil OC and TN density, while mined areas had the lowest soil OC and TN density, with the distribution of TP density showing a more complicated pattern than that of OC and TN. Ecotope level analysis could reflect the soil organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus distribution in densely populated village landscape of hilly regions more comprehensively than land use or land cover analysis.

Quantitative Analysis of Photosynthate Unloading in Developing Seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris L. : I. The Use of Steady-State Labeling.

The pathway and kinetics of photosynthate unloading in developing seeds of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were investigated using steady-state labeling with (14)CO(2). The continuous assimilation of (14)CO(2) at constant specific activity produced stable tracer fluxes that facilitated straightforward analyses of photosynthate import and unloading in developing seeds. The kinetics of tracer equilibration within intact seeds were compatible with a symplastic route of photosynthate unloading in the seed coat. The import and partitioning of tracer within seeds were partially disrupted by the surgical excision of the distal halves of seeds as practiced during the preparation of "empty" seed coats for perfusion.

Quantitative Analysis of Photosynthate Unloading in Developing Seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris L. : II. Pathway and Turgor Sensitivity.

Phloem import and unloading in perfused bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seed coats were investigated using steady-state labeling. Though photosynthate import and unloading were significantly reduced by perfusion, measurements of photosynthate fluxes in perfused seed coats proved useful for the study of unloading mechanisms in vivo. Phloem import was stimulated by lowered seed coat cell turgor, as demonstrated by an increase in tracer and sucrose import to seed coats perfused with high concentrations of an osmoticum. The partitioning of photosynthates between retention in the seed coat and release to the perfusion solution also was turgor sensitive; increases in seed coat cell turgor stimulated photosynthate release to the apoplast at the expense of photosynthate retention within the seed coat. There was no evidence of a turgor-sensitive sucrose uptake mechanism in perfused seed coats. Thus, the turgor sensitivity of photosynthate partitioning within perfused seed coats was consistent with a turgor-sensitive efflux control mechanism. Measurements of tracer equilibration and sugar partitioning in perfused seed coats provided strong evidence for symplastic phloem unloading in seed coats.

Background continental ozone levels in the rural U.S. southwest desert.

From 1969 through 1978 an extensive ambient air quality monitoring program, including the measurement of atmospheric concentrations of ozone, has been conducted in a remote section of the desert in the southwestern U.S. Using a Monitor Labs chemiluminescent ozone instrument, these levels were measured atop a small mountain 500 feet above the valley floor of the Colorado River. During the winter months, when the prevailing low level winds are northerly in this river valley, rural continental background levels of ozone are attainable. From this continuous ozone data base, 13 of these representative high pressure periods have been selected for analysis. Results indicate a very distinct diurnal trend with an ozone minimum occurring from 0800-1000 hours Mountain Standard Time (MST) and an ozone maximum from 1600-1900 hours MST. Ozone concentrations range from a low of 19 ppb to a high of 44 ppb with the diurnal pattern exhibiting marked repeatability with respect to time of minima and maxima, seasonal changes and concentration levels.