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We have previously reported an association of 14-3-3ɛ isoform with calmodulin. Using the voltage-clamp technique, the present study investigated the potential role of 14-3-3 in modulating the Ca2+-activated Cl− channel (CaCC) endogenously expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Injection of 14-3-3ε antisense oligodeoxynucleotides resulted in potentiation of the ionomycin-induced Cl− current, while 14-3-3 peptide and calmodulin inhibitor, W13, suppressed the antisense-potentiated current. The data suggest that 14-3-3ε plays an inhibitory role in modulating the CaCC by interacting with the calmodulin-dependent pathway. The potential role of 14-3-3ε in other tissues and its therapeutic potential for cystic fibrosis are discussed.

To investigate the time-dependent stress-strain behavior of Hong Kong marine deposits (HKMD), three types of triaxial tests have been conducted under both compression and extension states. The first is conventional undrained shear tests at different strain rates ranging from 0.0025 to 0.25%/min. The second type is stress relaxation tests. The last type is undrained creep tests. The results are reported in this paper. One order increment of logarithmic strain rate causes about 5 to 9% increase of undrained shear strength. In stress relaxation tests, the pore-water pressure increase is about 10% of the consolidation pressure under extension states. A power law equation is presented to calculate the decay of the deviator stress in relaxation. In multi-stage triaxial creep tests, the log(strain rate)-log(t) relationship of the lower stress level is linear. The slopes of these lines are dependent on current deviator stress as well as stress history.

The incidence of language delay in Chinese preschool children was studied by a stratified proportional sampling of ail 3 year olds in Hong Kong. The Developmental Language Screening Scale (DLSS) devised for use with Cantonese speaking children was used to identify children with language delay. Of 855 children sampled in the stage I screening procedure, 4%, 2.8% and 3.3% were identified as having delay in verbal comprehension, expression or both respectively. The stage II clinical diagnostic study included a randomly selected group of children screened in stage I with or without any associated behavioural problem. Among these, 3.4% were identified as having a language delay using the Reynell Language Developmental Scale (RDLS) with a criterion of language age of less than or equal to two-thirds of the chronological age; 3% had specific language delay using the criteria of language age less than or equal to two-thirds the chronological age and developmental age more than or equal to two-thirds the chronological age. More boys were found to have language delay, although this was not statistically significant.La frequence du retard dans Vacquisition du langage chez les enfants chinois d'age préscolaire a été etudiée au moyen d'échantillonnages proportionnels stratifyés au sein de la l'ensemble de la population des enfants de 3 ans de Hong-Kong. L'on a utilisé l'Echelle de Dépistage pour le Développement du Langage (Developmental Language Screening Scale, ou DLSS), déjà mise au point pour les enfants de langue cantonaise, pour identifier ceux souffrant de retard linguistique. Parmi les 885 enfants prélevés par échantillonnage pour le premier stade du processus de dépistage, il s'est riveli que les pourcentages de retards en ce qui concernait la compréhension verbale, I'expression verbale, ou une combinaison de ces deux facteurs, étaient, respectivement, de 4%, 2.8% el 3.3%. Le deuxieme stade de I'tlude diagnostique clinique concernait un groupe d'enfants selectionnis au hasard parmi ceux qui avaienl dija iti examines au premier stade, el dont certains presentaient en plus des problemes de comportement alors que d'autres n'en avaient pas. Dans le nombre il s'est trouvé que 3.4% souffraient de retards du langage d'après I'Echelle de Reynell (Reynell Language Development Scale, ou RDLS) avec un critère d'age linguistique inférieur ou egal aux 213 de I'age chronologique, et que 3% souffraient de retard spácifique du langage en utilisant un age linguistique de 213 de I'age chronologique et un age de développement supirieur ou egal aux 213 de I'age chronologique. Davantage de garqons que de filles souffraient de retards du langage, mais la déffirence n'etait pas statistiquement significative.Die Prävalenz der Sprachentwicklungsstörung bei chinesischen Vorschulkindern wurde an Hand von einer schichtenformigen, proportionierten Stichprobe von alien dreijährigen Kindern in Hong Kong studiert. Um die Kinder mit einer Sprachentwicklungsstörung zu identifizieren, haben wir die Developmental Language Screening Scale (DLSS) angewendet, die fur den Cebrauch bei kantonesisch sprechenden Kindern entwickelt wurde. Von den 855 Kindern, die wir in der ersten Phase der Stichprobe getestet haben, haben wir bei jeweils 4, 2.8, 3.3% eine Entwicklungsverzögerung des Sprachverstanänisses, des Ausdrucks oder beides festgestellt. In der zweiten Phase der klinischen, diagnostischen Studie haben wir eine randomisierte Gruppe von Kindern ausgewählt, die in der ersten Phase geprüft wurden und die mit oder ohne Verhaltensprobleme waren. Von diesen hatten 3.4% laut der Reynell Language Development Scale eine Sprachentwicklungsverzoge-rung, d.h. Sprachalter ≤ 2/3 des eigentlichen Alters; 3% eine Teilleistungsschwäche, d.h. Sprachalter ≥ 2/3 des eigentlichen Alters und Entwicklungsalter ≥ 2/3 des eigentlichen Alters. Wir haben gefunden, dass mehr Jungen eine Sprachentwicklungsverzogerung hatten, obgleich dieses statistisch nicht signifikant war.

The effects of two low-dose immunosuppressive therapies upon the healing of the bronchial anastomosis and skin wounds following lung autotransplantation were evaluated. Autotransplantation was performed in three groups of dogs: Group 1 (nine dogs) received no immunosuppression, Group 2 (seven dogs) received postoperative immunosuppression with methylprednisolone (2 mg/kg) and azathioprine (1.5 mg/kg), and Group 3 (four dogs) received postoperative immunosuppression with cyclosporin A (20 mg/kg/day). Skin incisions 7 cm in length were made in the dorsal region of each dog. Dogs were put to death 23 days postoperatively, and the breaking strength of the bronchial anastomoses and skin wounds was evaluated with the Instron Universal Testing Machine, with a cross-head speed of 0.5 cm/min. Bronchial breaking strengths were similar in Groups 1 and 3 and significantly higher than in Group 2 (p < 0.001). Skin breaking strengths were similar in Groups 1 and 3 and significantly higher than in Group 2 (p < 0.001). Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies of both skin and bronchial wounds showed normal formation of collagen bundles in Groups 1 and 3 but a disorganized pattern in Group 2. Our results suggest that low-dose immunosuppression with methylprednisolone and azathioprine significantly affects wound healing and breaking strength of both bronchial anastomoses and healed skin incisions following canine lung autotransplantation. Immunosuppression with cyclosporin A had no adverse effect on either bronchial or skin healing.

Poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)-stabilized polystyrene (PS) latexes have been coated with thin overlayers of polyaniline (PANi) to produce electrically conductive “core−shell” particles. In this work we focused on the morphology of the PANi overlayer, the colloid stability of the coated latexes, and electrical conductivity. PANi-coated particles exhibit a nonuniform morphology as observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in comparison with the relatively smooth polypyrrole overlayers synthesized in a previous study (Lascelles, S. F. et al., J. Mater. Chem. 1997, 7, 1339 and 1349). Disk centrifuge photosedimentometry confirmed that the PANi-coated PS latexes were weakly flocculated. The underlying PS latex “core” was quantitatively removed by solvent extraction, and SEM observations of the PANi residues revealed a “broken egg shell” morphology. Vibrational bands due to the PANi component were more intense in both the FT-IR and Raman spectra of the PANi-coated PS latexes, which is also consistent with the “core−shell” morphology. No reduction in the surface roughness of the PANi overlayer was observed when the rate of the aniline polymerization was decreased or if the latex surface was pretreated with either a thin polypyrrole overlayer or a layer of adsorbed surfactant. Similarly, only rough PANi overlayers were observed when coating a sulfonated PS latex. However, a more uniform deposition of PANi and a corresponding improvement of colloid stability were obtained using aniline hydrochloride monomer in the absence of added acid.

The pattern of psychopathology in Chinese leukemic children as compared to Chinese children with orthopaedic disorder was studied through analysis of their respective responses to the Children's Apperception Test. Leukemic children were found to exhibit a distinctly different pattern of psychopathology and psychological defenses. Isolation, detachment and denial were commonly used to defend against their insecurity, abstract fears and uncertainties. Themes relating to parental misunderstandings and maltreatment were also elicited. These findings are discussed in relation to the Chinese conception of death as a taboo subject. Recommendations are made for a better psychological management of fatally ill children and their parents.