Ethylene involvement in germination of Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth., an important root parasitic weed on poaceous crops, was investigated at the physiological and molecular levels. Seeds, conditioned at 30 C for 14 days, were treated with ethylene, ethephon or 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC). Ethylene consistently induced low germination. Ethephon and ACC effectively stimulated germination at concentrations of 0.01 and 1 mM, respectively. In contrast to ethylene, both ethephon and ACC acted in a concentrationdependent manner. Germination induced by the synthetic strigolactone GR24 was inhibited by aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) and 1-methylcyclopropene. ACC reversed the inhibition caused by AVG. When seeds were treated with GR24 in sealed vials, ethylene concentration in headspace gas increased prior to the onset of germination. Total RNA extracted from germinating seeds 12 h after GR24 treatment was used for PCR-based amplification of cDNA fragments encoding the ACC synthase-and oxidase-active site domains. Two distinct cDNA fragments encoding ACC synthase (SHACS1 and SHACS2) and one encoding ACC oxidase (SHACO1) were cloned and sequenced. Southern analysis suggested that each of the cloned genes was present as a single copy in the genome of S. hermonthica. Northern analyses showed that SHACS1 exhibited a temporal change in expression peaking at 10 h after GR24 treatment, which coincided with a steady increase in ethylene concentration. SHACS2 was expressed at a low level with a similar trend. SHACO1 exhibited a temporal change in expression peaking at 15 days during conditioning, when seed response to GR24 was maximal. In summary, expression of ACC synthase and ACC oxidase genes was found to be responsive to a germination stimulant and to conditioning, respectively. The implications of these findings with respect to germination of S. hermonthica under field conditions are discussed.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of 4 risk-of-malignancy indexes (RMIs) to discriminate benign from malignant pelvic masses. The RMI methods were calculated for 296 patients together with the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. The RMI method is a valuable and applicable method in diagnosing pelvic masses with high risk of malignancy. Background: The aim of this study was to validate the risk-of-malignancy index (RMI) incorporating menopausal status, serum CA 125 levels, and imaging findings for discriminating benign from malignant pelvic masses and to evaluate the ability of 4 different RMIs. Patients and Methods: This is a prospective study of 296 women admitted to surgical exploration of pelvic masses. The RMI 1, 2, 3, and 4 methods were calculated for all patients together with the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. Results: The sensitivity of RMIs 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 73.0%, 81.1%, 73.0%, and 77.0%, respectively, and the specificity was 93.7%, 89.6%, 93.7%, and 92.3%, respectively. The RMI 2 was significantly better at predicting malignancy than RMIs 1 3; however, there was no statistically significant difference in performance of RMIs 2 4. Conclusion: The RMI method is a valuable and applicable method in diagnosing pelvic masses with high risk of malignancy and a simple technique that can be used in gynecology clinics and less-specialized centers.

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We examined the relationships between the expression of the short and long forms of the prolactin (PRL) receptor (PRLR) mRNA in the ovary and changes in the levels of serum hormones such as sex steroid hormones and PRL during induction of ovulation in the rat. The expression of both forms of PRLR mRNA in the ovary was examined by Northern blot analysis in immature female rats treated with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Ovarian tissues and blood samples were obtained before treatment, 24 and 48 h after PMSG injection and 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h after hCG treatment. Serum levels of 17β-estradiol, progesterone and PRL were determined by radioimmunoassay. Serum levels of 17β-estradiol rapidly increased to a maximal level 48 h after PMSG injection and then rapidly declined until 4 h after hCG injection. Serum levels of progesterone gradually increased after PMSG treatment, markedly increased to 114.2 nmol/l 8 h after hCG treatment and remained high until 48 h after hCG treatment. The serum level of PRL peaked at 66.2 µg/l (p < 0.01) 48 h after PMSG injection, and a temporary decrease after hCG treatment was followed by a continuously high level from 8 to 48 h. The expression of the long form of PRLR mRNA increased significantly (p < 0.01) to 688% of the control level after PMSG treatment, while that of the short form increased to only 184% of the control level. The expression of the long form of PRLR-mRNA rapidly declined until 6 h and then gradually increased until 48 h after hCG treatment. On the other hand, the expression of the short form of PRLR mRNA decreased to a nadir 12 h after hCG injection and then increased significantly (p < 0.01) to 142% of the control level. Our results showed that the changes in the short and long forms of PRLR mRNA differed in a time-specific manner and that these two forms are involved in different functions in the rat ovary during induction of ovulation. It is thought that the long form of PRLR mRNA is involved in folliculogenesis, while the short form of PRLR mRNA may play an important role in the formation and maintenance of the corpus luteum in the rat ovulatory cycle.

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