The regeneration of Acer rubrum L. "October Glory" through embryonic callus.

BACKGROUND: Tissue culture and rapid propagation technology is an important way to solve the difficulties of plant propagation. This experiment aims to explore the appropriate conditions at each stage of the red maple's tissue culture process and to obtain plantlets, thus providing a theoretical basis for the establishment of the red maple's tissue culture system. RESULTS: The results showed that the stem segment is the most suitable explant for inducing embryogenic callus. The MS (Murashige&Skoog) + 0.8 mg/L TDZ (Thidiazuron) + 1.0 mg/L 6-BA (6-Benzylaminopurine) + 0.5 mg/L IAA(Indole-3-acetic acid) + 35 g/L sucrose+ 7.5 g/L semi-fixed medium was the best for callus formation. When selecting type VI callus as embryonic callus induction material, MS + 0.6 mg/L TDZ + 0.5 mg/L 6-BA + 2.0 mg/L IAA + 35 g/L sucrose+ 7.5 g/L semi-fixed medium can get embryonic callus. The optimal medium for adventitious bud induction is MS + 1.0 mg/L TDZ + 3.0 mg/L 6-BA+ 0.2 mg/L NAA (1-Naphthaleneacetic acid) + 1.2 mg/L IAA + 35 g/L sucrose+ 7.5 g/L semi-fixed medium. The induction rate of adventitious roots in MS + 0.6 mg/L TDZ + 1.0 mg/L 6-BA+ 3 mg/L NAA + 35 g/L sucrose+ 7.5 g/L semi-fixed medium was the highest, reaching 76%. CONCLUSIONS: In the course of our research, we found that PGRs play an important role in the callus induction stage, and the effect of TDZ is particularly obvious; The callus cells grow and proliferate according to the "S" growth curve, and can be sub-cultured when the highest growth point is reached to maintain the rapid proliferation of the callus cells and to avoid inactivation of callus caused by tight niche.

[Analysis on incidence for cervical cancer in Qidong during 1972 - 2000].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the trends of incidence for cervical cancer in the years of 1973 - 2000, in Qidong, a city in south China, with a population of 1.16 M. METHODS: Crude incidence rate of cervical cancer was calculated by using incident case data from Qidong Cancer Registry, which was founded in 1972, and age-standardized rates were computed according to China age structure of 1964 (CASR), and world age structure of 1960 (WASR). The epidemiological features and secular change trends of the cancer were described. RESULTS: Six hundred and thirty-one new cases of cervical cancer were reported in Qidong during the years of 1973 to 2000, ranking the eighth and accounting for 3.25% among all sites of cancers in women. The crude annual incidence rate during the period was 3.96 per 100,000 on average, China age-standardized rate (CASR) was 2.67 per 100,000, and world age-standardized rate (WASR), 3.66 per 100,000. The incidence of cervical cancer was 2.97 per 100,000 for the last 14 years, and 5.01 per 100,000 for the first 14 years, showing a decreasing trend (P < 0.01). Age-specific rates showed that the incidents among those aged over 55 in the recent 14 years were markedly lower than that in the first 14 year period (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Qidong is a relatively low incidence area of cervical cancer, with a decreasing trend among aged women, according to population-based cancer registration data. This incidence data on cervical cancer could be used as a base for strategic treatment and prevention of the disease.

Efficacy and tolerability of low-dose interferon-α in hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of low-dose standard or pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive hemodialysis patients. METHODS: In total, 19 patients were enrolled in this study, of which 12 received PEG-IFNα-2a 67.5 µg 1 time/wk (Group 1) and 7 received standard interferon α-2b subcutaneously 1.5 × 106 U 3 times/wk (Group 2). The treatment durations were 48 wk for patients infected with HCV genotype 1 and 24 wk for patients infected with HCV genotype 2/3. All patients were prospectively followed after the completion of therapy. The efficacy and tolerability of the treatment were evaluated based on the sustained virological response (SVR) and treatment-related drop-out rate. RESULTS: In Group 1, 11 of the 12 patients completed the treatment. Early virological response (EVR) and sustained virological response (SVR) rates were 83.3% and 91.7%, respectively. One patient withdrew from treatment due to an adverse event (leukopenia). The drop-out rate was 8.3% in this group. In Group 2, 5 of the 7 patients completed the treatment with an EVR and SVR of 85.7% and 71.4%, respectively. Two patients withdrew due to treatment-related adverse events (nausea and depression). In this group, the drop-out rate was 28.6%. In total, 16 of the patients attained EVR, and 15 of them completed the treatment. The SVR rate for the patients who attained EVR was 93.7%. Anemia was the most frequent side effect and was observed in 10/19 patients (55.5%), but could be effectively managed with erythropoietin. CONCLUSION: Low-dose interferon monotherapy, either with PEG-IFNα-2a or standard interferon α-2b, is an effective treatment option for hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C.

[An age-period-cohort modelling study on primary liver cancer incidence rate in Qidong].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the incidence trends of primary liver cancer (PLC) in Qidong. METHODS: Data of PLC incidence from 1975 to 1999 in Qidong were analyzed to delineate temporal trends and birth cohort patterns, using age-period-cohort models. RESULTS: Significant moderation or decreasing trends were began to notice in incidence rates on cohorts born in 1913 - 1917 and 1958 - 1962. CONCLUSION: Results showed that the incidence risk of the birth cohorts after 1958 - 1962 started to decline. The changes were possibly associated with the implementation of some practical measures on prevention.