[The 5-year death analysis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with radiotherapy]

OBJECTIVE

To study the main death cause of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with radiotherapy for 5 years.

METHOD

An analysis had been made to evaluated the 5-year death in 165 patients with NPC treated with radiotherapy.

RESULT

The death correlates strongly with the clinical stage, type and radiation dose (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The distant metastasis and local recurrence are the main death cause of NPC.

[Acidity and acid buffering capacity of aerosols during sand-dust storm weather in Beijing]

In the spring of 2000, there were 12 sand-dust storms in Beijing. 2 sand-dust storms were experienced in time and mass concentrations, elementary concentrations acidity and acidic buffering capacity of TSP(Total Suspended Particulate, < 100 microns) and PM10(Inhalable particulate, < 10 microns) were sampled and analyzed. Results showed that pollution level of aerosols was extremely high. However, the acidity of aerosols was relatively low and the aerosols had very strong acid buffering capacity for acidification. Therefore, the aerosols brought about by the sand-dust storms could avoid the occurrence of acidic precipitation to some extent.

Synergistic movements of Ca(2+) and Bax in cells undergoing apoptosis

Apoptosis is a physiological counterbalance to mitosis and plays important roles in tissue development and homeostasis. Cytosolic Ca(2+) has been implicated as a proapoptotic second messenger involved in both triggering apoptosis and regulating cell death-specific enzymes. A critical early event in apoptosis is associated with the redistribution of Bax from cytosol to mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes; however, the molecular mechanism of Bax translocation and its relationship to Ca(2+) is largely unknown. Here we provide functional evidence for a synergistic interaction between the movements of intracellular Ca(2+) and cytosolic Bax in the induction of apoptosis. Overexpression of Bax in cultured cells causes a loss of ER Ca(2+) content. Depletion of ER Ca(2+) through activation of the ryanodine receptor enhances the participation of Bax into the mitochondrial membrane. Neither Bax translocation nor Bax-induced apoptosis is affected by buffering of cytosolic Ca(2+) with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, suggesting that depletion of ER Ca(2+) rather than elevation of cytosolic Ca(2+) is the signal for cell apoptosis. This dynamic interplay of Ca(2+) and Bax movements may serve as an amplifying factor in the initial signaling steps of apoptosis.

Regulation of KChIP2 potassium channel beta subunit gene expression underlies the gradient of transient outward current in canine and human ventricle

Expression of four members of the KChIP family of potassium channel beta subunits was examined in canine heart. Only one member of the gene family, KChIP2, was expressed in heart. There was a steep gradient of KChIP2 mRNA expression across the canine ventricular free wall. KChIP2 mRNA was 25-fold more abundant in the epicardium than in the endocardium, and this gradient paralleled the gradient in transient outward current (Ito) expression. In contrast, Kv4.3 potassium channel alpha subunit mRNA was expressed at equal levels across the ventricular wall. There was no difference in the pharmacological sensitivity of epicardial and endocardial Ito channels to flecainide, suggesting that the current is produced by the same channel in the two tissues. A similar gradient of KChIP2 expression was found across the ventricular wall of human heart, but not rat heart. It is concluded that transcriptional regulation of the KChIP2 beta subunit gene, rather than the Kv4.3 [alpha] subunit gene, is the primary determinant regulating the transmural gradient of Ito expression in the ventricular free wall of canine and human heart.

[An experimental study on subconjunctival interleukin-1 receptor antagonist for promotion of corneal transplant survival]

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the subconjunctival application of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) can prolong the corneal graft survival in the rat model of orthotopic penetrating keratoplasty.

METHODS

For all experiments, F344 corneas were transplanted into LOU (major histocompatibility-disparate) eyes. Experimental groups received subconjunctival injection of 50, 100 and 200 microg IL-1ra respectively, and the control group received the same volume of 0.9% normal saline instead for consecutive 2 weeks. All transplants were evaluated for 4 weeks after surgery for signs of rejection.

RESULTS

The mean survival time (MST) of the grafts of the experimental groups was increased significantly (t = 0.00, P < 0.01) in comparison with the control group. The MST of the IL-1ra 200 microg group was increased significantly than that of the IL-1ra 50 microg group (t = 0.00, P < 0.01). Furthermore, the IL-1ra-treated grafts had significantly less corneal inflammation, infiltration, lower levels of opacity, edema, neovascularization and rejection index compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Subconjunctival treatment of IL-1ra has a significantly positive effect on promoting corneal allograft survival. And its effect is dosage-dependent.

MinK-related peptide 1: A beta subunit for the HCN ion channel subunit family enhances expression and speeds activation

The HCN family of ion channel subunits underlies the currents I(f) in heart and I(h) and I(q) in the nervous system. In the present study, we demonstrate that minK-related peptide 1 (MiRP1) is a beta subunit for the HCN family. As such, it enhances protein and current expression as well as accelerating the kinetics of activation. Because MiRP1 also functions as a beta subunit for the cardiac delayed rectifier I(Kr), these results suggest that this peptide may have the unique role of regulating both the inward and outward channels that underlie cardiac pacemaker activity. The full text of this article is available at http://www.circresaha.org.

Computerized planimetry versus clinical assessment for the measurement of cervical ectopia

OBJECTIVE

As part of a study to assess the role of cervical ectopia in the acquisition of cervical infections, we determined the reliability of cervical ectopia measurements made by computer planimetry and by clinical (visual) assessment.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted pelvic examinations of 1004 women seeking contraceptive services at two health centers in Baltimore. After application of acetic acid, clinicians estimated the relative area of ectopia by visual inspection and took cervical photographs. Two independent raters measured the absolute and relative areas of ectopia from the digitized images by means of an analytic software program. Agreement levels between raters, between multiple readings by the same rater, and between the two measurement methods were quantified by means of the intraclass correlation coefficient and weighted kappa.

RESULTS

Intrarater agreement was excellent for computer planimetry measurements of the absolute (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.97) and relative (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.89) areas of ectopia. Interrater agreement was also high for computer planimetry measurements of the absolute (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.83) and relative (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.85) areas of ectopia. Agreement levels were moderate between clinician assessment and computer planimetry measurements of the relative area of ectopia (kappa = 0.48), but agreement was better when clinical assessment was limited to observations by a single, experienced clinician.

CONCLUSION

Measurement of cervical ectopia by computer planimetry was highly reliable and appears appropriate for assessment of the role of ectopia in the acquisition of cervical infections. Clinical assessment of cervical ectopia may be used when computer planimetry is not available.

Simultaneous quantitative UV spectrophotometric determination of multicomponents of amino acids using linear neural network

Simultaneous determination of multicomponents of six amino acids with a novel chemometric technique-a linear neural network (LNN) algorithm is reported in this study. Based on the data correlation coefficient and standard deviation method, 17 representative wavelength points are selected from the original UV spectral data (343 points) as the original input patterns for LNN to build a neural network model. The results obtained only by iterating 15 times is satisfying, with a correlation coefficient of 0.999 and a relative small standard deviation.

[Efficacy of topical cyclosporine A on keratoplasty rejection in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of topical cyclosporine A (CsA) on a penetrating keratoplasty rejection model in rats.

METHODS

Lou rats received orthotopic corneal allografts from inbred F344 donors. The rats were treated with one drop of topical solution four times daily for 30 days. Sixty rats were divided into one control (the matrix of CsA solution) and five treatment groups (0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% CsA, glucocorticoid, glucocorticoid and 1.0% CsA). Rejection index (RI) and mean survival time (MST) were calculated, and histopathological and immunohistopathological examination were performed for each group.

RESULTS

The graft MST was postponed by topical CsA treatment. There was significant difference between each treatment group and the control group (t greater-than-or-equal 2.28, P < 0.0l), especially 2% CsA, steroid and combined 1% CsA and steroid groups, the combined group being the most effective. The RI was lower in all the groups with topical CsA than that in the control group (P < 0.01). The effect of 2% CsA was the same as that of the steroid, while 1% CsA combined steroid was the most effective. The histopathological findings confirmed that the topical application of CsA reduced the inflammatory cells infiltrating the graft stroma and the neovascularization. Immunohistopathological analysis demonstrated that there were fewer CD(+)(11a) T cells and macrophages in the infiltration and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 positive cells in keratocytes and endothelium of grafts in the treatment groups than in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical CsA can inhibit the keratoplasty rejection episodes in the rat and afford better results when combined with topical steroid.

Alternative splicing of KCNQ2 potassium channel transcripts contributes to the functional diversity of M-currents

The region of alternative splicing in the KCNQ2 potassium channel gene was determined by RNase protection analysis of KCNQ2 mRNA transcripts. Systematic analysis of KCNQ2 alternative splice variant expression in rat superior cervical ganglia revealed multiple variant isoforms. One class of KCNQ2 splice variants, those that contained exon 15a, was found to have significantly different kinetics to those of the other isoforms. These transcripts encoded channel subunits that, when co-expressed with the KCNQ3 subunit, activated and deactivated approximately 2.5 times more slowly than other isoforms. Deletion of exon 15a in these isoforms produced a reversion to the faster kinetics. Comparison of the kinetic properties of the cloned channel splice variants with those of the native M-current suggests that alternative splicing of the KCNQ2 gene may contribute to the variation in M-current kinetics seen in vivo.

[Ultrastructure changes of the olfactory epithelium of the patients suffering from dysosmia caused by the chronic sinusitis]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the ultrastructural changes of olfactory epithelium (OE) in patients suffering from dysosmia caused by chronic sinusitis.

METHODS

The specimens of olfactory epithelium were obtained from 35 patients operated for chronic sinusitis accompanied by dysosmia. According to the results of light microscope (LM) examination, the OE was divided into three groups by the types of pathological changes: normal, atrophic and respiratory epithelium metaplasia(REM). Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the ultrastructural changes of each group.

RESULTS

Under the LM, the surface ultrastructure of the OE showed some abnormal changes: (1) surface microvillus of the supporting cells disappeared; (2) olfactory vesicle changed their shape due to vacuolization; (3) disappearance of canaliculus structure in the olfactory vesicle; (4) the olfactory cilia changed the shape or reduced; some of the reduced cilia underwent metaplasia. The ultrastructural changes of atrophic OE included: (1) minor and moderate atrophy: the organelles and the membrane-limited electron dense vesicles on the upper section of the supporting cells obviously decreased or disappeared, even underwent vacuolization. The basic cell degenerated; (2) serious atrophy: the turbidity of the cell structure, even double cell structure, the nuclei of the cell aggregated as the plaque and vesiculose change or karyopyknosis. As for the cytoplasm, there were the dilation of the ERs, turgidity of the mitochondrion, the disarrangement, diminution and vacuolization. Fasciculate cilia were distributed separately in the REM group.

CONCLUSION

There is a positive relationship between the atrophy degree and the degree of the abnormal ultrastructural changes of the OE. The ultrastructural changes of OE in patients suffering from dysosmia caused by chronic sinusitis may provide reference for assessment of the treatment of dysosmia.

[Combustion characteristics of municipal solid waste in fluidized bed]

For the experimental investigation on the combustion characteristics of Municipal Solid Waste(MSW) in Fluidized Bed, a lab scale Fluidized Bed facility was constructed. Single and mixed municipal solid waste burning in Fluidized Bed showed that dry waste can be burnt quickly at the bed temperature of 500 degrees C, and furnace temperature increased about 30-50 degrees C. Many kinds of combustion runs were conducted in this Fluidized Bed combustion facility. The parameters examined were air flow rate(from 5.5 m3/h to 7.5 m3/h), form of fuels(scrap or whole), moisture content and so on. Concentration of CO2, CO, SO2 and NOx in the flue gas were monitored and recorded every 5 seconds. The temperatures along the reactor were recorded every 10 seconds.

Effects on eyes and nose in humans after experimental exposure to airborne office dust

To test sensory irritation symptoms and physiological effects on humans caused by airborne office dust, ten subjects were exposed to both clean air and airborne non-industrial office dust for 3 h in a climate chamber. The average dust concentration in exposure sessions was 394 micrograms/m3 total suspended dust (TSD). Tear film break-up time, foam formation in the eye canthus, conjunctival epithelial damage, nasal volume, and nasal minimal cross-sectional area were assessed. Tear film break-up time decreased significantly after dust exposure and nasal volume showed a tendency to decrease. In a questionnaire investigation, significant effects were found from the questions: "facial skin humidity", "throat irritation", "feeling needs of coughing", "dry nose", "concentration difficulty", and "headache". Additionally, the intensity of the questions "facial skin humidity", "dry nose", "body skin temperature", "sluggishness", and "sleepiness" worsened over time. A correlation analysis showed that perceived "air quality" was significantly correlated with "dry eyes", "eye irritation", "facial skin irritation", "nose irritation", and "feeling stressed by chamber occupancy" for subacute responses, and with "odor intensity" for acute responses. This supports that the perceived air quality may be a function of odor and irritation symptoms. A number of localized symptoms of irritation (e.g. dry nose, throat irritation, coughing) and of general symptoms (e.g. sluggishness, sleepiness, headache, ability to concentration) were mutually correlated acutely and subacutely. These results indicate that non-industrial office dust may cause physiological changes and sensory symptoms in eyes and nose and that these effects have different time courses.

[Study of mechanisms of lightening aspiration and increasing decannulation rate in anastomosis of cricoid cartilage and base of tongue (epiglottis)]

OBJECTIVE

To study laryngopharyngeal anastomosis and fixing methods of super-cricoid laryngectomy with reconstruction of functions in lightening aspiration and increasing decannulation rate.

METHODS

Recovering conditions of laryngeal functions in 66 patients who underwent supracricoid laryngectomy and anastomosis of cricoid cartilage and base of tongue (epiglottis) in recent eight years were summarized. Some relevant caliber distances in 21 residual larynges were measured.

RESULTS

All cases restored their phonation. In 36 cases that underwent anastomosis of cricoid cartilage and base of tongue, 15 cases without aspiration, 18 with mild aspiration, 3 moderates. Decannulation rate is 94.4%. In 30 cases who underwent anastomosis of cricoid cartilage and base of tongue, 10 with mild aspiration, 17 moderate, 3 serious. All cases overcame aspiration within 3 weeks. 7 cases were cannulated. 3, 5, 10 year survival rates were 80.3%, 74.4%, and 3/7. The longitudinal and transverse calibers of epiglottis were 1.5-2.0 times longer than that of the entrance of cricoid cartilage. After anastomosis of cricoid cartilage and base of tongue (epiglottis), the epiglottis can exactly cover the entrance of cricoid cartilage to prevent aspiration fully and increase decannulation rate. Previously the cricoid cartilage was anatomized and fixed under the hyoid bone. Because some spaces exist between cricoid cartilage, base of tongue and epiglottis, aspiration is likely to occur. That hyoid bone covers the entrance of cricoid cartilage will bring constriction of the new laryngeal orifice and make decannulation difficult. Hyoidectomy and anastomosis of cricoid cartilage and base of tongue (epiglottis) overcame the two shortcomings and had good effects.

CONCLUSION

Cricoid-hyoid-anastomosis was the main reason of severe aspiration and low decannulation rate. The ideal methods to lighten aspiration and increase decannulation rate are hyoidectomy and anastomosis of cricoid cartilage and base of tongue (epiglottis).

Hepatocytes contribute to soluble CD14 production, and CD14 expression is differentially regulated in hepatocytes and monocytes

CD14 presents as a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked membrane protein on the surface of monocytes/macrophages and as a soluble protein in the serum. Our previous studies have shown that an 80-kilobase pair (kb) genomic DNA fragment containing the human CD14 gene is sufficient to direct CD14 expression in a monocyte-specific manner in transgenic mice. In addition, we discovered that human CD14 is highly expressed in hepatocytes. Here, we report the generation of transgenic mice with either a 24- or 33-kb human CD14 genomic DNA fragment. Data from multiple transgenic lines show that neither the 24- nor the 33-kb transgenic mice express human CD14 in monocytes/macrophages. However, human CD14 is highly expressed in the liver of the 33-kb transgenic mice. These results demonstrate that human CD14 expression is regulated differently in monocytes and hepatocytes. Furthermore, we identified an upstream regulatory element beyond the 24-kb region, but within the 33-kb region of the human CD14 gene, which is critical for CD14 expression in hepatocytes, but not in monocytes/macrophages. Most importantly, the data demonstrate that the liver is one of the major organs for the production of soluble CD14. These transgenic mice provide an excellent system to further explore the functions of soluble CD14.

[Clinical characteristics of different cordectomy types with potassium titanium phosphate laser]

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical characteristics of different potassium titanium phosphate(KTP) laser types and surgical the recuperating course of cordectomy under suspension laryngoscope.

METHOD

Follow-up observation were applied on 76 patients with cordectomy. Restoration of laryngeal structure and change of the quality of voice were observed and recorded.

RESULTS

Type 1, normal laryngeal structure and function were restored postoperatively after 3 months; Type 2, a fold like vocal cord (new vocal cord) appeared 3 months later. Laryngeal structure was basically restored; Type 3, a mucosal fold appeared postoperatively after 6 months in most patients, but it lost motion function. Recurrence time was mainly found 2-4 months. Recurrence rate was 6.7%. Two and 5-year survival rate were 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

Cordectomy with KTP laser can result in good effect and less injury. Type 2, 3 can retain thyroarytenoid muscle as much as possible on the basis of radical cure.

[Long-term follow-up result of partial laryngectomy]

OBJECTIVE

To study the long-term follow-up result of partial laryngectomy and reservation of laryngeal function.

METHODS

Three hundred and seventy-nine patients who underwent partial laryngectomy from 1986 to 1995 were summarized (male 290 cases, female 89 cases). Among them, 184 cases were supraglottic carcinomas (T1 8 cases, T2 115, T3 48, T4 13, according to UICC in 1992), 192 cases were glottic carcinomas (T1 115, T2 63, T3 13, T4 1), 3 cases were transglottic carcinomas (T2 1, T3 2). In common 8 kinds of operations were performed: 26 cases underwent cordectomy, 138 vertical laryngectomy, 7 frontolateral laryngectomy, 12 horizontal glottic laryngectomy (middle part of the larynx), 58 supraglottic laryngectomy, 95 horizontovertical (3/4) laryngectomy, 24 subtotal laryngectomy with cricoglossoepiglottic anastomosis, 19 near-total laryngectomy with cricoglossal anastomosis (with reservation of unilateral arytenoid cartilage). 193 cases underwent concurrent neck dissection(121 unilateral, 72 bilateral).

RESULTS

All cases restored their phonation and overcame aspiration with removing nasal feeding from 7 to 23 days after operations. 362 cases were decannulated from 9 days to 3 months after operations. Another 8 cases were decannulated after a secondary plastic operation. Decannulation rate was 97.6%. The three, five and ten year survival rates were 86.8% (329/379), 81.3% (266/327) and 69.4% (120/173) respectively.

CONCLUSION

Partial laryngectomy is a kind of radical operation with reservation of laryngeal function. Mastering indications strictly, correct operation choices, excellent surgical skills and perfect repairing technique are bases of improving life qualities and curative effect.

A phase I/II trial of paclitaxel, carboplatin, and gemcitabine in untreated patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Paclitaxel and carboplatin is widely used in the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, median survival remains < 1 year. One strategy to improve survival is to add a third active drug with a differing mechanism of action. Gemcitabine is a novel antimetabolite with considerable activity in NSCLC. The primary objective of this Phase I/II study was to determine the maximally tolerated dose of gemcitabine administered with fixed doses of paclitaxel and carboplatin in untreated patients with advanced NSCLC.

Expression of histo-blood group antigens by lipopolysaccharides of Helicobacter pylori strains from asian hosts: the propensity to express type 1 blood-group antigens

Past studies have shown that the cell surface lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) of the ubiquitous human gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori (a type 1 carcinogen) isolated from people residing in Europe and North America express predominantly type 2 Lewis x (Le(x)) and Le(y) epitopes and, infrequently, type 1 Le(a), Le(b), and Le(d) antigens. This production of Lewis blood-group structures by H. pylori LPSs, similar to those found in the surfaces of human gastric cells, allows the bacterium to mimic its human niche. In this study, LPSs of H.pylori strains extracted from patients living in China, Japan, and Singapore were chemically and serologically analyzed. When compared with Western H.pylori LPSs, these Asian strains showed a stronger tendency to produce type 1 blood groups. Of particular interest, and novel observations in H.pylori, the O-chain regions of strains F-58C and R-58A carried type 1 Le(a) without the presence of type 2 Le(x), strains R-7A and H607 were shown to have the capability of producing the type 1 blood group A antigen, and strains CA2, H507, and H428 expressed simultaneously the difucosyl isomeric antigens, type 1 Le(b) and type 2 Le(y). The apparent proclivity for the production of type 1 histo-blood group antigens in Asian H.pylori LPSs, as compared with Western strains, may be an adaptive evolutionary effect in that differences in the gastric cell surfaces of the respective hosts might be significantly dissimilar to select for the formation of different LPS structures on the resident H.pylori strain.

Depletion of intracellular Ca2+ by caffeine and ryanodine induces apoptosis of chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with ryanodine receptor

Recent studies have suggested a central role for Ca(2+) in the signaling pathway of apoptosis and certain anti-apoptotic effects of Bcl-2 family of proteins have been attributed to changes in intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis. Here we report that depletion of Ca(2+) from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) leads to apoptosis in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Stable expression of ryanodine receptor (RyR) in these cells enables rapid and reversible changes of both cytosolic Ca(2+) and ER Ca(2+) content via activation of the RyR/Ca(2+) release channel by caffeine and ryanodine. Sustained depletion of the ER Ca(2+) store leads to apoptosis in Chinese hamster ovary cells, whereas co-expression of Bcl-xL and RyR in these cells prevents apoptotic cell death but not necrotic cell death. The anti-apoptotic effect of Bcl-xL does not correlate with changes in either the Ca(2+) release process from the ER or the capacitative Ca(2+) entry through the plasma membrane. The data suggest that Bcl-xL likely prevents apoptosis of cells at a stage downstream of ER Ca(2+) release and capacitative Ca(2+) entry.

Differences in genotypes of Helicobacter pylori from different human populations

DNA motifs at several informative loci in more than 500 strains of Helicobacter pylori from five continents were studied by PCR and sequencing to gain insights into the evolution of this gastric pathogen. Five types of deletion, insertion, and substitution motifs were found at the right end of the H. pylori cag pathogenicity island. Of the three most common motifs, type I predominated in Spaniards, native Peruvians, and Guatemalan Ladinos (mixed Amerindian-European ancestry) and also in native Africans and U.S. residents; type II predominated among Japanese and Chinese; and type III predominated in Indians from Calcutta. Sequences in the cagA gene and in vacAm1 type alleles of the vacuolating cytotoxin gene (vacA) of strains from native Peruvians were also more like those from Spaniards than those from Asians. These indications of relatedness of Latin American and Spanish strains, despite the closer genetic relatedness of Amerindian and Asian people themselves, lead us to suggest that H. pylori may have been brought to the New World by European conquerors and colonists about 500 years ago. This thinking, in turn, suggests that H. pylori infection might have become widespread in people quite recently in human evolution.

GFP-centrin as a marker for centriole dynamics in living cells

A long-standing puzzle in cell biology is the question of how cells generate one and only one new centrosome in each cell cycle and what is the role of the centriole pair in this process. In this study, the introduction of GFP-centrin into cultured cells allows direct visualization of centriole behavior in living cells and in real time. Using this method, centriole dynamics can be observed throughout the cell cycle and following a variety of experimental treatments. Our studies demonstrate that the biogenesis of new centrioles from individual members of a preexisting centriole pair is asynchronous: the older centriole initiates assembly of a new daughter centriole before the younger centriole initiates assembly of its daughter.