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The silver-stained acrocentric chromosome association (Ag-AA) is the remnant of the nucleolus. Its frequency reflects the transcriptional activity of cellular rRNA genes.

Poly(A)+ RNA was isolated from 9 specimens of human primary hepatic carcinoma, 1 non-tumorous liver tissue adjacent to cancer and 1 normal liver tissue samples. The Oligo-dT cellulose-purified poly(A)+ RNAs were subjected to formaldehyde agarose gel electrophoresis, Northern transfer and hybridization with various oncogene probes. Two RNA species, 5.6 kb and 2.2 kb were identified by N-ras gene hybridization in 6 out of 9 mRNA samples from primary hepatic carcinoma specimen. N-ras specific mRNA was not detectable in mRNA samples from normal human liver and tumor surrounding cirrhotic tissue. No detectable hybridization of mRNA from hepatoma and normal liver with Ki-ras or Ha-ras was observed. As human N-ras gene has been identified in DNA of mouse transfectants transformed with PHC DNA, it strongly suggests that N-ras gene might be responsible for the transforming activity of part of cases of human liver cancer.

DNA was extracted from NIH 3T3 cells transformed with DNAs from human primary hepatic cancer (PHC) and Hepatoma 7402 cell line. The transformant DNA was analyzed by Southern transfer and hybridization with 32P-labeled probes of various oncogenes. The EcoRI 7.2 and 9.0 kb bands characteristic of human N-ras gene were identified in transformed NIH 3T3 cells derived both from PHC and 7402 DNA. The BamHI 6.6 kb band characteristic of human c-Ha-ras I was present only in 7402 transformants, but not in PHC transformants. Using 35S-methionine incorporation, immunoprecipitation with anti-p21 monoclonal antibodies, SDS-PAGE and autoradiography, it was demonstrated that p21 synthesis was remarkably enhanced in 7402 cells as well as in transformed cells derived from both 7402 and PHC DNA. Taking the data together, it strongly implies that N-ras is one of the transforming genes for human liver cancer.

A 1D quasicrystal derived from the 2D decagonal quasicrystal has been found in rapidly solidified ${\mathrm{Al}}_{80}$${\mathrm{Ni}}_{14}$${\mathrm{Si}}_{6}$, ${\mathrm{Al}}_{65}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{20}$${\mathrm{Mn}}_{15}$, and ${\mathrm{Al}}_{65}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{20}$${\mathrm{Co}}_{15}$ alloys. They inherit periodicity along the tenfold axis and have, in addition, translation periodicity in one of the twofold axes of the decagonal phase. Crystalline phases based on ordering of vacancies in (111) layers of the CsCl-type structure with a layer sequence of 5, 8, 13, and 21, respectively, have also been found. The important role played by the Fibonacci sequence in these aperiodic and periodic structures is discussed.

The contents of polysulphides in different forms of Halitum violaceum (unprocessed, processed with vinegar, calcinated and boiled with water) were determined indirectly by UV spectrophotometry. The results showed that the unprocessed forms are higher in the contents of polysulphides while the processed ones have little or no such contents at all. It is thus believed that the poisons can be eliminated from Halitum violaceum by processing, which helps to decrease or eliminate polysulphides and sulphides.

A patient, male, 57 years old, with hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach is reported. Chief complaint was right upper abdominal mass and anorexia for 11 months. The patient's serum AFP level was found to be elevated (652.8 ng/ml) and a mass was observed in left hepatic lobe by isotope scan. It was diagnosed as primary hepatic carcinoma. A large ulcerative tumor (14 x 13 x 0.8 cm) in gastric pylorus-antrum and liver metastasis were found by autopsy. Histologically, the tumor, diagnosed as hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach by pathology, was composed of two but closely related to well differentiated tubular papillary adenocarcinoma and differentiated hepatoid adenocarcinoma. Histogenesis, production of AFP and its significance, and clinicopathologic characteristics of this tumor are discussed with review of literature.