Formation of a nanogroove-striped NiO surface using atomic steps.

A nanogroove-striped pattern was formed on a NiO film surface. The periodic nanopattern was successfully obtained over the entire surface via high-temperature annealing of the epitaxial NiO thin film, which was grown on an atomically stepped sapphire substrate at low temperature. The depth, width and interval of straight nanogrooves were about 3 nm, 35 nm and about 100 nm, respectively. The periodicity of the stripe agrees well with that of the atomic steps of the substrate.

Linkage and mapping analysis of a non-susceptibility gene to densovirus (nsd-2) in the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

Nonsusceptibility to Bombyx mori densovirus type 2 (BmDNV-2) is controlled by a recessive non-susceptibility gene, nsd-2 (non-susceptibility to DNV-2) in B. mori. Taking advantage of a lack of crossing over in females, reciprocal backcrossed F1 (BF1) progeny were used for linkage analysis and mapping of nsd-2 using silkworm strains C124 and 902, which are classified as being highly susceptible and non-susceptible to DNV-2, respectively. BF1 larvae were inoculated twice with DNV-2 virus at the first and second instar stages. DNA was extracted from each of the surviving fifth instar larvae and analysed by RFLP inheritance patterns using probes specific to each of the 28 linkage groups of B. mori. Our results indicated that the non-susceptibility gene was linked to linkage group 17, since all surviving larvae showed the homozygous profile of strain 902 in their genotype. The other linkage groups showed mixtures of heterozygous and homozygous genotypes, indicating an independent assortment. A linkage map of 30.6 cM was constructed for linkage group 17 with nsd-2 mapped at 24.5 cM and three closely linked cDNA markers were identified.

Linkage analysis of maternal EST cDNA clones covering all twenty-eight chromosomes in the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

A cDNA library of maternal messages was constructed from non-fertilized Bombyx mori eggs collected just after oviposition without mating. cDNA clones were identified by their nucleotide sequences and evaluated as probes for RFLP linkage analysis. Back crossed F1 segregants - by crossing an F1 female (RF02 x RF50) and a male (RF02) - were used, which takes advantage of the phenomenon that no crossing over occurs in Bombyx females. Fifteen ordered BF1 segregants gave either homozygous (homo) or heterozygous (hetero) RFLP patterns with each cDNA probe. cDNA probes on the same linkage group gave the same homo/hetero order. One hundred and fifty one out of 248 cDNA clones showed polymorphisms between RF02 and RF50, and were therefore suitable as probes for RFLP linkage analysis in the present BF1 cross. They were sorted into twenty-seven linkage groups and one independent group, by the homo/hetero pattern matrix, covering all twenty-eight chromosomes in B. mori.

The successful surgical treatment of a paradoxical embolus to the carotid bifurcation.

Paradoxical embolism is a rare cause of ischemic stroke. We report the case of a 67-year-old man who had a saddle embolus to the carotid bifurcation successfully treated with emergency embolectomy. Transesophageal echocardiogram revealed a large patent foramen ovale and an easily demonstrable right-to-left shunt. Subsequent investigations revealed proximal deep venous thrombosis in the left femoral and popliteal veins and multiple pulmonary emboli. Long-term anticoagulation was instituted for the diagnosis of paradoxical embolism. The patient's recovery was uneventful, and he remained neurologically intact. A literature review emphasizes the role of transesophageal echocardiography and suggests that paradoxical embolism may be a more common cause of stroke than previously thought.

Molecular cloning of a cDNA for a small GTP binding protein, BRho, from the embryo of Bombyx mori and its characterization after expression and purification.

A cDNA clone encoding a small GTP binding protein (Brho) was isolated from an embryonic cDNA library of Bombyx mori that encoded a polypeptide with 202 amino acids sharing 60-80% similarity with the Rho1 family of GTP binding proteins. The effector site and one of the guanine nucleotide binding sites differed from other members of the Rho family. To characterize the biochemical properties of Brho, the clone was expressed in Escherichia coli as a glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein. The recombinant protein was purified to homogeneity with glutathione S-Sepharose. The fusion protein bound [(35)S] GTPgammaS and [(3)H] GDP with association constants of 11x10(6) M(-1) and 6.2x10(6) M(-1), respectively. The binding of [(35)S] GTPgammaS was inhibited by GTP and GDP, but by no other nucleotides. The calculated GTP-hydrolysis activity was 89.6 m mol/min/mol of Brho. Bound [(35)S] GTPgammaS and [(3)H] GDP were exchanged with GTPgammaS most efficiently in the presence of 6 mM MgCl(2). These results suggest that Brho has a higher affinity for GTP than GDP, converts from the GTP-bound state into the GDP-bound state by intrinsic GTP hydrolytic activity, and returns to the GTP-bound state with the exchange of GDP with GTP. Arch.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine in Hawaii cancer patients.

This research investigated complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by Hawaii cancer patients. Thirty-six percent of patients used CAM, most commonly religious/spiritual therapy and herbal treatments. CAM use was linked with younger age, female gender, Catholic religion, and more education. More research is needed to inform decision-making.

Evidence for growth of strains of the plant epiphytic bacterium Erwinia herbicola and transconjugation among the bacterial strains in guts of the silkworm Bombyx mori.

Growth of plant epiphytic bacteria Erwinia herbicola and Pseudomonas syringae in guts of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, was studied. Fifth instar silkworm larvae were fed artificial diets supplemented with these bacteria for 6 to 12 h followed by uncontaminated diets. At 1, 3, and 6 days after feeding, bacteria were isolated from insect guts and feces. A much larger population of E. herbicola was detected in the samples collected 3 and 6 days after the inoculation than in samples collected after 1 day, indicating that these bacteria grew in the insect gut, while P. syringae was unable to survive. Transconjugation between E. herbicola strains in the insect gut was also examined. First, either a donor or a recipient strain was fed to the insects in artificial diets containing the bacteria during 12 h, and then pairing strains were fed during 12 h after starvation for 12 h. The conjugative plasmid pBPW1::Tn7 was transferred into recipient cells at very high frequencies (10(-1)/recipient after 3 days and 10(-3) after 6 days) in insect guts. Indigenous plasmids of E. herbicola mobilized RSF1010 plasmid into recipient cells at frequencies of 10(-4) in insect guts. These transconjugants were detected in the feces of the insects. Thus, plasmid-mediated gene transfer among the epiphytic bacteria in insect guts was demonstrated. The results obtained suggest that in insecta gene transfer may play an important role in the evolution of plant epiphytic bacteria.

Developmental expression of the Bombyx Antennapedia homologue and homeotic changes in the Nc mutant.

BACKGROUND: Abundant availability of homeotic mutants in Bombyx mori provides us with clues to study the body plan of the silkworm. Previous studies indicated that the ECa/ECa and EN/EN embryos, which reveal drastic morphological changes (Itikawa 1943, 1952) lack the homologue of abd-A and the homologues of abd-A and Ubx, respectively (Ueno et al. 1992). It will be interesting to characterize a mutant named Nc, the locus of which was mapped about 1.4 cm apart from the E loci (Itikawa 1944, 1952). RESULTS: In the present study we cloned and identified the Bombyx Antennapedia cDNA from a library of larval middle silk gland. The developmental expression patterns of the Bombyx Antennapedia were analysed in embryos and larval middle silk glands. We found the Bombyx Antennapedia mRNA of the Nc mutant lacks the homeobox region and its downstream region. This defect comes from a corresponding deletion on the Nc chromosome. Development of the Nc/Nc embryos terminates at stage 26, revealing a transformation of the prothoracic legs into antennae, milder changes in the mesothoracic legs, compression between the prothoracic and mesothoracic segments as well as in the gnathocephalon region, and a severe growth suppression of the silk glands. CONCLUSIONS: These results give a molecular basis and detailed morphological abnormalities of the Nc mutant known since 1944.

Loss of body fat during an arctic winter expedition.

Fifty-five soldiers have been observed over a vigorous 10-day sledging patrol in the Canadian arctic and subarctic. Initial observations showed a low level of physical fitness (26% body fat, aerobic power 41.9 +/- 7.8 ml kg-1 min-1, handgrip force 43.7 +/- 7.2 kg). Over 2-week northern sojourn, energy expenditures as measured by a Kofranyi-Michaelis respirometer and diary observation averaged 3248 kcal (13.6 MJ) day-1, with a small (152 kcal (633 kJ)) positive daily energy balance. A weight loss of 1 kg, presumably water, was made good within 1 week of return to the south. A fat loss of some 3.9 kg was probably attributable largely to the demands of lean tissue synthesis. The lean mass was increased by 3.9 kg over the trial, with parallel gains of muscle force and aerobic power. The rapid mobilization of depot fat led to marked ketonuria.

Loss of body weight and fat during exercise in a cold chamber.

Ten men spent one week in a cold climatic facility performing a simulated arctic military exercise demanding an energy expenditure of 13-16 MJ-day-1. Although the ration pack was adequate, extensive plate wastage led to a negative energy balance of 2.2 MJ-day-1. Fluid intake was also insufficient, with a 3.25% decrease of body weight, and a 9.7% decrease in skin thickness over the cold exposure. Extensive fat mobilization was indicated by a decrease of skinfold thicknesses, an increase of body density, and associated ketonuria and glycosuria. The fat breakdown far exceeded the calculated energy deficit, and it is postulated that much of the "surplus" energy was required for synthesis of additional muscle protein. In the arctic environment, both energy and fluid balances are better maintained because there are few distraction from the simple pleasure of preparing and eating meals.

Treatment of obesity by exercise in the cold.

Six obese men aged 25 to 46 years exercised vigorously for 3 1/2 hours in a cold chamber (-34 degrees C) on 10 successive days. There was an early water loss of about 1 kg, probably due to mobilization of glycogen stores, and a subsequent fat loss of about 4 kg (as estimated from readings of skinfold thickness and confirmed by underwater weighing). The total fat loss was much greater than the calculated external energy deficit (as estimated from dietary records, an activity diary and use of a Kofranyi-Michaelis respirometer). Although some energy was "wasted" through ketosis, much of the additional energy was apparently used for synthesis of additional muscle protein. Both readings of skinfold thickness and underwater weighing indicated that the loss of adipose tissue was well sustained in the first 2 months after the exercise program. Further experiments are recommended to determine whether cold exposure makes a specific contribution to the observed weight loss, and whether this approach would be equally effective in a larger and less selected sample of obese patients.

LaTulippe--a case study of a one hundred and sixty kilometre runner.

A 55 year old runner covered 160 km within a 20 hour period. His speed averaged 8.16 km/h, at an estimated 59.1% of maximum oxygen intake. After the first four hours of running, one of five fluids was taken in rotation every twelve minutes. Volumes ingested whe heart rate for the final four hours (125/min) was not increased relative to oxygen consumption for this portion of the run. Constancy of heart rate, continued urine production and formal fluid balance calculations all indicate that hydration was well maintained over the run. Caloric intake averaged 480 kcal/h (2.01 MJH), being greatest fro the ice-creas/syrup mixture; the energy deficit (56/KA/H, 235 kJ/h) was small during that part of the run in which food was provided.