A field trial was conducted to test the efficacy of emulsifiable formulations of Beauveria bassiana (Bb) and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (Pf) conidia in controlling small green leafhoppers (Empoasca spp.) on tea plant in a hillside tea garden located in Shuichang, Zhejiang during mid-summer 2002. Both Bb and Pf formulations contained 10(10) conidia x ml(-1). Adding 3% of imidacloprid 10% WP to each fungal formulation (W/V) resulted in two other formulations, i.e., Bb-imidacloprid mixture (BbIM) and Pf-imidacloprid mixture (PfIM). Besides the four formulations, a mineral oil-based liquid used to formulate the fungal conidia and containing 3% of imidacloprid 10% WP (OBLI) was also tested, and water spray was used as control (CK). Each of the treatments included three 60-m2 plots (replicates), which were sprayed twice with a 500-fold aqueous dilution of the corresponding formulation or preparation at a 12-d interval. Based on the leafhopper densities estimated by sampling in all plots at 3- or 4-d intervals after the first spray, the spray of BbIM or PfIM could better control the leafhoppers than the spray of Bb or Pf formulation. The maximal efficacy relative to CK reached 83.4% and 71.3% in the BbIM and PfIM treatments, respectively. Estimates of field efficacy obtained during the 25-d period after the first spray was 66.8% for BbIM, 62.1% for PfIM, 50.3% for OBLI, 49.5% for Bb, and 19.0% for Pf, respectively. A discussion was also given on the effect of local weather pattern and leafhopper population age structure on the results of the field trial, and on the application techniques to enhance the efficacy of mycoinsecticides against Empoasca species on tea plant.

The conversion of organic wastes into biochar via the pyrolysis technique could be used to produce soil amendments useful as a source of plant nutrients. In this study, we investigated the effects of fruit peels and milk tea waste-derived biochars on wheat growth, yield, root traits, soil enzyme activities and nutrient status. Eight amendment treatments were tested: no amendment (CK), chemical fertilizer (CF), banana peel biochar 1% (BBBBp < 0.05) increased for the TB2 + CF treatment as compared to other treatments. Similarly, higher contents of nutrients in grains, shoots and roots were observed for TB2 + CF: N (61.3, 23.3 and 7.6 g kg^-1), P (9.2, 10.4 and 8.3 g kg^-1) and K (9.1, 34.8 and 4.4 g kg^-1). Compared to CK, the total root length (41.1%), surface area (56.5%), root volume (54.2%) and diameter (78.4%) were the greatest for TB2 + CF, followed by BBBBBB + CF and OB + CF treatments increased β-glucosidase and dehydrogenase, but not urease activity, as compared to the TB + CF amendment, while all enzyme activity decreased with the increased biochar levels. We concluded that the conversion of fruit peels and milk tea waste into biochar products contribute the benefits of environmental and economic issues, and should be tested as soil amendments combined with chemical fertilizers for the improvement of wheat growth and grain yield as well as soil fertility status under field conditions.

The serum levels of total creatine kinase (CK), and of CK-B, as estimated by the enzymatic anti-M-subunit immunoinhibition method, were studied in 14 patients with CK-B elevation associated with advanced malignant disease, in nine subjects with electrophoretically verified, immunoglobulin-bound CK-BB (macro CK) and in 28 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The range of CK-B activity was similar in all three groups. In AMI, the ratio CK-B/total CK at peak CK-B was less than 13% (mean 7%). In both the groups with atypical CK, the ratios varied from about 30% to nearly 100%, with a mean amounting to 2/3 of total CK activity. CK-B elevations in patients with untreated malignant tumours tended to increase with time, but occasionally remained fairly constant for months, like those in subjects with macro CK. Complementary CK isoenzyme separation, e.g. by electrophoresis, is needed to differentiate conditions with atypical CK activity, detected by routine use of CK-B determinations in the diagnosis of AMI.

The present study investigated the effects of endometrial stem cell (EnSCs) transplantation combined with estrogen in the repair of endometrial injury. A total of 30 patients with intrauterine adhesions (IUA) and 30 healthy individuals were selected. Expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB in endometrial tissue was assessed. Additionally, expression levels of epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), cytokeratin (CK), integrin α-6 (CD49f), Thy-1 membrane glycoprotein (THY-1), collagen type 1 (Col I), fibroblast (5B5) and vimentin in EnSCs were detected using western blot analysis and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. A rat model of IUA was established and female rats were divided into the control, model, EnSCs, estrogen and estrogen plus EnSCs (E+EnSCs) groups. Blood was extracted at 1 and 5 weeks post-treatment, and serum levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, EGF, 17 β-estradiol (E2) and PDGF-BB were measured using ELISA. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to observe the pathological changes of endometrial tissue in rats. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of estrogen receptor (ESR1) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in the endometrium. The results revealed that patients with IUA exhibited increased expression levels of EGF and PDGF-BB compared with those in control group. Additionally, EnSCs exhibited significantly increased expression levels of EMA, CD49f, CK, Col I, THY-1, 5B5 and vimentin compared with the remaining groups. An increased number of newly formed glands was observed in the E+EnSCs group compared with that in the EnSCs group. Increased levels of E2, but decreased levels of TGF-β1, EGF, PDGF-BB, ESR1 and MMP-9 were detected in EnSCs and estrogen groups compared with those in E+EnSCs group. These results suggest that EnSCs transplantation combined with estrogen could improve endometrial abnormalities.

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of bombesin noncytoskeleton form and intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) concentration in PC-3 prostate cancer cell line.

METHODS

Immunofluorescent histochemistry (IH) combined with laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) was used to examine the expression of cytokeratin (CK) in PC-3 cells treated with definite concentrations of BBS and observe its effect on cytoskeleton form. Fluo-3/AM fluorescence technique and LSCM were adopted to measure the [Ca2+]i concentration after different concentrations (10(-9), 10(-7) and 10(-5) mol/L) of BBS were added in PC-3 cells.

RESULTS

BBS (10(-5) mol/L) stimulated the expression of CK in PC-3 cells and the formation of lamellipodium, and increased the [Ca2+]i concentration, with concentration dependence.

CONCLUSIONS

Definite concentrations of BBS could obviously enhance the [Ca2+] i concentration, CK expression and cytoskeleton morphology of PC-3 cells. The results provide a basis for further studies on the role of BBS in tumour researches as well as in intracellular signal transmission.

A 63 years old female is described suffering from thymus carcinoma with increased levels of CK and CK-MB enzymes. The separation of the total CK enzymes into the isoenzymes CK-MM, CK-BB, and CK-MB showed a marked difference between the photometric and the immunological method. This discrepancy can be explained by postulating a molecule specific for thymus carcinoma, probably a new CK isoenzyme. The relevance of using the photometric method in cardiologic routine diagnostic is pointed out.

LDH and CK isoenzyme patterns are determined electrophoretically (Beckman) from various aortic regions and layers and in atherosclerotic plaques as compared to control areas. Throughout consecutive layers of human aorta LDH isoenzymes show a continuous cathodic shift from both surfaces towards the center with a maximum between the inner and middle third. CK shows a heterogenous pattern with maxima at CK MM and CK BB and less CK MB. Most of the CK MM is located in the intima, the media contains more of CK BB. Regional analysis shows an anodic shift of CK from proximal to distal thoracic aorta. In experimental short term hypertension a definite anodic CK isoenzyme shift is observed with increased relative CK BB activity.

We report the case of a woman with severe hypothyroidism and without concomitant myocardial damage, in whom elevated CK-MB values were measured by radioimmunological and enzymatic methods before and after thyroid replacement therapy. The patient's CK-MB activity was shown to be actually due to an atypical CK band between CK-MM and CK-MB (also termed "macro CK" or "idiopathic serum CK-BB").

We used the isolated perfused rat liver model (IPRL) to assess parenchymal and nonparenchymal cell integrity after different conditions of storage and reperfusion. Two studies were performed. In study 1, the IPRL was applied to evaluate the effects of 30 min of normothermic reperfusion with Elohes solution, enriched William's medium (Wif), or Carolina rinse solution (CRS) following 24 h of cold preservation in high-K+ or high-Na+ UW solution. As indicated by creatine kinase-BB (CK-BB) release, reperfusion with CRS provided greater protection of endothelial cells after storage in high-K+ UW solution than after storage in high-Na+ UW solution. In study 2, livers were cold-preserved (24 h, 4 degrees C) in either high-K+ or high-Na+ UW solution, then flushed with either CRS or Wif solution at room temperature before reperfusion (120 min, 37 degrees C) with 5% albumin-William's medium E. There was no statistical difference between the rinse solutions for bile flow and transaminases release. However, CRS improved bile indocyanine green excretion, which is known to be a marker of parenchymal and nonparenchymal cell integrity. Therefore, we can assume that this rinse solution protects rat liver grafts from reperfusion-induced microvascular damage.

The presence of creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) in human serum is an indicator of myocardial injury. In this assay for CK-MB, reagent containing both rabbit antibodies to CK-MM and 125I-labeled sheep antibodies to CK-BB is added to the patient's serum and incubated for 1 h at ambient temperature. Goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin, conjugated to a mixture of amylose and polyvinylidene fluoride floccules, is then added. After a 15-min incubation, the mixture is centrifuged, isolating the two M-subunit-containing isoenzymes as insoluble complexes. Because the B-subunit portion of MB is labeled with 125I, the radio-activity in the pellet will be proportional to the amount of MB present. The discarded supernate contains excess sheep 125I-labeled BB antibodies, free or bound to BB isoenzyme if it is present. The preparation and characterization of the isoenzymes and antibodies is explained. Concentrations of CK-MB is sera of patients with and without an acute myocardial infarction were assayed in serial specimens obtained in 103 consecutive admissions to a coronary care unit. The performance of this radiometric procedure compared well with CK-MB electrophoresis, giving a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 92%.

From the sera or pleural effusions of 29 patients among 58 suffering of bronchopulmonary cancer we found a CK BB isoenzyme (CK EC 2.7.3.2). There is no false positive in sera of our group control. Lung homogenates and alveolar macrophages are found to be rich with this fraction. Is this isoenzyme a cancer marker for the broncho-pulmonary tract?

BACKGROUND

Increased serum activity of <em>CK</em> isoenzymes and macroenzymes, and in particular of the brain isoenzyme (<em>CK</em>-<em>BB</em>) has been reported in dogs with central nervous system (CNS) disorders. However, no studies on the possible differences in serum activities of <em>CK</em> iso- or macroenzymes (Macro-<em>CK</em>1 and Macro-<em>CK</em>2) in different neurologic diseases are available.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the electrophoretic distribution of CK iso- and macroenzymes in dogs with CNS disorders in order to assess whether this distribution depends on a specific neurologic disease.

METHODS

This study was done on sera from 45 dogs with neurologic diseases (degenerative, n = 7; idiopathic epilepsy [IE], n = 14; inflammatory, n = 16; space occupying lesions [SOL], n = 8) and from 10 clinically healthy dogs. The separation of serum CK isoenzymes and macroenzymes was performed using an automated electrophoretic method already validated in dogs.

RESULTS

Compared with healthy dogs, dogs with CNS disorders had significantly higher total <em>CK</em> and <em>CK</em>-<em>BB</em> activities, and a significantly lower Macro-<em>CK</em>2 activity (P < .001). Comparison of pathologic subgroups and healthy dogs revealed significant differences (P < .01) in dogs with IE and inflammatory disorders for total <em>CK</em> activity, in all the subgroups for <em>CK</em>-<em>BB</em> (P < .01), and in dogs with IE and SOL for Macro-<em>CK</em>2 (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that <em>CK</em>-<em>BB</em> is released by neurons damaged by inflammatory or degenerative conditions or due to compressive effects of SOL. However, the neurologic diseases cannot be differentiated based on <em>CK</em>-<em>BB</em> or Macro-<em>CK</em>2 activities, unless further studies allow the definition of diagnostic thresholds.

The CK isoenzyme composition of leiomyoma tissue is predominantly CK-BB and similar to adjacent myometrium tissue, while the leiomyosarcoma revealed a lesser quantity of CK-BB, but a greater quantity of CK-MM. The reasons for the discrepancy between the two types of neoplasms is not clear, but may reflect the changes which occur when smooth muscle becomes malignant.

In 161 children with ages ranging from 7 months to 18 years the concentration of CK-BB in serum was measurable in 58%. The activity in serum of CK-BB (cCK-BB(S] in children varies with age and is not significantly influenced by seizure, epilepsy or body temperature. The values are most elevated during the first year of life and show a rapid fall, never reaching adult levels. Comparing mean cCK-BB(S) values in children to growth charts the resemblance is striking. CK-BB is the only CK-isoenzyme that changes with age. We postulate that cCK-BB(S) is related to growth as a physiological phenomenon. CK-MB was found in serum in 7% of the children and could not be of cardiac origin. Therefore CK-MB cannot be regarded as cardiac specific in children.