Transient expression of β- glucuronidase gene in indica and japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.) callus cultures after different stages of co-bombardment

Rapidly growing embryogenic calli of different ages derived from the scutellum of mature seed embryos of indica rice (Rasi) and mature seeds of japonica rice (Taipei 309) was biolistically transformed. Plasmid pUCGUS containing the uidA gene encoding β- lucuronidase was used to optimize transformation conditions using various combinations of helium pressure, target distance and gap distance. Plasmid pHX4 carrying hygromycin phosphotransferase (hph) gene and pUCGUS was used for co bombardment. Resistant calli were selected in the presence of hygromycin B. Successful co-transfer of DNAs to cells was monitored by analyzing transient gus expression 24 h after bombardment and 24 days after selection. Maximum level of gus expression was observed if calli were selected for transformation after 44 days in maintenance medium. Maximum callus transformation frequency of 37.5 was observed for Taipei 309 as compared to 24.2 for indica rice cv.Rasi.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (7), pp. 596-600, 200

Using Monte Carlo Methods for Retirement Simulations

Retirement prediction helps individuals and institutions make informed finan-cial, lifestyle, and workforce decisions based on estimated retirement portfolios. This paper attempts to predict retirement using Monte Carlo simulations, allow-ing one to probabilistically account for a range of possibilities. The authors propose a model to predict the values of the investment accounts IRA and 401(k) through the simulation of inflation rates, interest rates, and other perti-nent factors. They provide a user case study to discuss the implications of the proposed model.Comment: 10 page

The current status of plant transformation technologies

This article does not have an abstract

Perilesional Linear Atrophic Streaks Associated with Intralesional Corticosteroid Injections in a Psoriatic Plaque

Perilymphatic atrophy can be a complication of intralesional corticosteroid injections given for the treatment of conditions such as psoriasis, alopecia areata, and keloids, and intraarticular corticosteroid injections given in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. It may become manifest as perilesional linear, depigmented, atrophic streaks, which are usually most prominent in patients with dark-colored skin.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73661/1/j.1525-1470.1987.tb00790.x.pd

PSYCHOSOMATIC STUDY OF SELF-EXCORIATIVE BEHAVIOR AMONG MALE ACNE PATIENTS: PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS

Background. Studies of the psychosomatic correlates of self-excoriative behavior in acne have involved mainly women with acne excorieÉ. Little is written about the psychosomatic factors that affect men with acne. Excessive self-excoriation of acne lesions is an important clinical factor because it can prolong the course of the disease and exacerbate the deeper inflammatory process with an increase in the severity of scarring. Methods. Thirteen men (mean ± SE: age: 22.2 ± 1.4 years) with mild to moderate facial acne, whose self-excoriative behavior was not severe enough to result in acne excoriee, completed a battery of self-rated questions assessing their self-excoriative behaviors, the severity of their acne, and various psychologic factors. Results. Certain aspects of self-excoriative behavior (e.g., a tendency to pick or squeeze the acne lesions when stressed) correlated directly with depression (brief symptom inventory (BSI)) (Pearson r = 0.64, P = 0.02) and anxiety (BSI) (Pearson r = 0.61, P = 0.03) scores. The dermatologic indices of acne severity such as inflammation (Pearson r = 0.82, P = 0.0004) and pustules (Pearson r = 0.62, P = 0.03) were the strongest correlates of self-excoriative behavior. Conclusion. Self-excoriative behavior in men with acne may be exacerbated by a coexisting depressive or anxiety disorder. In contrast, women with acne excorieÉ have been reported to suffer from an immature personality where the cutaneous condition may serve as “an appeal for help.” Men who excessively pick their acne will benefit from aggressive dermatologic therapies and should be assessed for underlying depressive and anxiety disorders.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66075/1/j.1365-4362.1994.tb01017.x.pd

Detection of Xanthomegnin in Epidermal Materials Infected with Trichophyton rubrum

Xanthomegnin, a mutagenic mycotoxin best known as an agent of nephropathy and death in farm animals exposed to food-borne Penicillium and Aspergillus fungi, was first isolated about 35 y ago as a diffusing pigment from cultures of the dermatophyte, Trichophyton megninii. This study investigates the production of xanthomegnin by the most common dermatophytic species, Trichophyton rubrum, both in dermatologic nail specimens and in culture. In view of the labile nature of xanthomegnin, a chromatographic procedure was developed to allow high-performance liquid chromatography analysis within 1 h of sample extraction. In cultures, Tricho- phyton rubrum produced xanthomegnin as a major pigment that appears to give the culture its characteristic red colony reverse. Xanthomegnin was also repeatedly extracted from human nail and skin material infected by Trichophyton rubrum. The level of xanthomegnin present, however, varied among the clinical samples studied. Xanthomegnin was not detected in uninfected nails. These results show that patients with Trichophyton rubrum infections may be exposed to xanthomegnin, although the consequences of such an exposure are not currently known