[Effects of mixture of 22 kinds of volatile organic compounds on human body at different temperature]

Ten healthy volunteers were exposed to mixture of 22 kinds of volatile organic compounds with concentrations of zero to 10 mg/m3 at the temperature of 18, 22 and 26 C, respectively in an artificial climate room for 60 minutes a day and six days week for two consecutive weeks to study their effects on human bodies. Results showed that quality of indoor air decreased significantly, odor intensity increased, number of the subjects who need more ventilation increased, and irritation to eyes, nose and skin intensified under the mixture concentration of 10 mg/m3 and at temperature of 26 degrees C. No significant changes in psychological tests, tear film stability and cytological studies were found. Room temperature at 26 degrees C has a significant synergetic effects on human health. Therefore, quality of indoor air can not be evaluated only by organic compounds polluted in air, but by meteorological conditions.

[Early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy by uterine curettage with serum hCG assay]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the value of uterine curettage combined with serum hCG assay in the diagnosis of early ectopic pregnancy (EP).

METHODS

Judgement was done by uterine curettage pathologic examination of uterine content and determination of serum hCG in 61 patients with suspected EP with clinical symptoms, signs and auxillary examinations.

RESULTS

Intrauterine pregnancy was confirmed in 17 patients by the presence of chorionic villi in the uterine contents. 26 patients were diagnosed as having EP by the absence of chorionic villi and elevated levels of hCG 24 hours after curettage. 18 patients who had no chorionic villi and the level of hCG fall down spontaneously after curettage were diagnosed having either intrauterine pregnancy or EP, mostly no further intervention.

CONCLUSION

Diagnostic curettage with serum hCG determination can be used for differentiating intrauterine pregnancy from EP and it can also provide a reference for further arrangement.

[The effects of lipoteichoic acid and calcium on the adherence of oral streptococci in vitro]

In this study, the effects of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and calcium on adherence of oral streptococci in vitro were investigated. The results revealed that the adherence of streptococcus sobrinus to a glass surface was increased by the addition of calcium, in the condition of the same calcium ion concentration, LTA inhibited adherence, suggesting that LTA and the bacterial cell surface LTA competed for the same site of calcium ion, providing some evidence to support calcium-bridging theory. The result also showed that calcium ion not only influenced sucrose-independent adherence, but also infulenced sucrose-dependent adherence. The effect of calcium ion on the adherence has a threshold, over which the adherence was reduced.

[Comparison of different surgical procedures for urinary stress incontinence]

OBJECTIVE

Comparison of different surgical procedures for urinary stress incontinence (USI).

METHODS

95 patients with and/or accompanying USI were treated operatively in a prospectively randomized manner.

RESULTS

The cure rate of colposuspension group 3 months after operation was 93% and was higher than 69% after Kelly operation (P < 0.05). But the cure rate 12 months after operation decreased to 74% and 58% respectively (P > 0.05). The percentage of abnormal sexual life was lower in the colposuspension group (4%) than that of those having Kelly operation (7%). The average days and times of intubation in the colposuspension group were more than in Kelly operation group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The cure rate of colposuspension 3 months was better than that of the Kelly operation. The cure rate at 1 year was similar in the two procedures. Transient urinary retention occurred more after in the colposuspension group.

On the viscoelastic character of liver tissue: experiments and modelling of the linear behaviour

This paper presents the results of recent investigations into the viscoelastic character of liver tissue, especially the linear response. The linear domain of liver tissue has been determined by a strain sweep oscillation test. The fluid-like viscoelastic behaviour of liver tissue was confirmed by stress relaxation experiments. To demonstrate the consistency and quality of the experimental data, the relaxation spectrum was used to reconstruct the relaxation modulus, as well as the storage and loss moduli. The generalised Maxwell model was successfully employed to model the mechanical behaviour in the linear viscoelastic domain.

SU-E-J-181: Explore the Value of 18F-FDG, PET and CT Scan for the Clinical Stage of Esophageal Carcinoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 18F-FDG, PET and CT were used for T and N stage for esophageal carcinoma, and explore the SUV value evaluating prognosis of esophageal carcinoma.

METHODS

PET and CT scan as well as T and N stage were carried out for 29 cases of preoperative esophageal carcinoma patients, those results were analyzed and compared with postoperative pathological TNM stage.

RESULTS

CT scan diagnosis the T stage was obviously higher than PET in term of determining T staging, while PET scan diagnosis the N stage was higher than CT, but there was no significantly difference. It was clear that only the Kappa value of preoperative PET scan in T stage was poor (Kappa value, 0.4), the Kappa values for PET scan in N stage, as well as preoperative CT scan in T and N stage were good (Kappa value.0.4). The SUV values were increasing with the lesion volume and length of PETsuv2.5 becoming bigger. The survival was better when patients with SUV value, 9.0 than those with SUV value=9.0.

CONCLUSIONS

CT was better than PET in term of determining clinical T stage of esophageal carcinoma, while PET diagnosis the N stage was good the same as CT. SUV 9.0 may be regarded as a practical indexes to determine prognosis in esophageal carcinoma.

Hyperon Polarization along the Beam Direction Relative to the Second and Third Harmonic Event Planes in Isobar Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

The polarization of Λ and Λ[over ¯] hyperons along the beam direction has been measured relative to the second and third harmonic event planes in isobar Ru+Ru and Zr+Zr collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV. This is the first experimental evidence of the hyperon polarization by the triangular flow originating from the initial density fluctuations. The amplitudes of the sine modulation for the second and third harmonic results are comparable in magnitude, increase from central to peripheral collisions, and show a mild p_{T} dependence. The azimuthal angle dependence of the polarization follows the vorticity pattern expected due to elliptic and triangular anisotropic flow, and qualitatively disagrees with most hydrodynamic model calculations based on thermal vorticity and shear induced contributions. The model results based on one of existing implementations of the shear contribution lead to a correct azimuthal angle dependence, but predict centrality and p_{T} dependence that still disagree with experimental measurements. Thus, our results provide stringent constraints on the thermal vorticity and shear-induced contributions to hyperon polarization. Comparison to previous measurements at RHIC and the LHC for the second-order harmonic results shows little dependence on the collision system size and collision energy.

PD01-05: Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor LBH589 (Panobinostat) Suppresses the Activated-NFκB Pathway in Acquired Aromatase Inhibitor Resistant Breast Cancer Cells

Background: Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are effective in treating postmenopausal patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. However, resistance to endocrine therapies remains a major problem in the management of ER-positive breast cancer. Recently, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) show promise as cancer therapeutics, but the full scope of their utility remains unknown.

Experimental Design: In order to search for critical genes in developing resistance to AI, a microarray study was performed on AI resistant cells derived from MCF-7aro cells that overexpress aromatase and on AI resistant tumors from our mouse experiments. Moreover, using MCF-7aro cells that are resistant to anastrozole (Ana-R), letrozole (Let-R), and exemestane (Exe-R), as well as LTEDaro, we evaluated the significance of NFKB1 and several regulatory genes in AI resistance, and the anti-NFκB1 activity of HDACi LBH589 in vitro and in vivo.

Results: Significant changes (Fold change cutoff &gt; 1.5, false discovery rate &lt; 0.05) in the expression levels of 22 genes among three networks were identified from microarray analysis of our in vitro and in vivo models of acquired AI resistance. NFKB1 is a key player in one of three networks, including 11 genes, and is functionally up-regulated in all AI resistant cells. NFκB1 knockdown suppresses the proliferation of AI resistant cells more than that of MCF-7aro cells. Moreover, AI resistant cell lines are highly sensitive to LBH589 treatment and apoptosis is induced in these cell lines. LBH589 suppressed NFκB1 as demonstrated at both the mRNA and protein levels in LTEDaro and other AI resistant cell lines. Furthermore, the LBH589 treatment abrogated tumor growth in mice, and was associated with significant decreased levels of NFKB1 in tumors.

Conclusions: Our findings provide new insights into how the NFκB1-mediated networks play roles in AI resistance, and strongly support that LBH589 offers a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with AI resistant breast cancer.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr PD01-05.

P2-01-12: Determining the Molecular Signature That Drives Breast Cancer-Induced Brain Metastasis in a Mouse Xenograft Model

Breast cancer (BCa) is the most common malignant disease in women in U.S. and the mortality in BCa patients is due to the metastasis of the disease from primary site. Brain metastasis accounts for nearly 20% of all metastases in BCa. It is the most feared complication of BCa because of very few effective treatment regimens available, leading to lower survival rate in patients. The exact molecular mechanism for metastases of BCa into brain is unknown. Rodent model systems have been reported for brain metastasis in BCa but the current models for brain metastasis have limitations. Therefore, there is a need of efficient model system that can significantly contribute towards our understanding of different factors from both host and tumor leading to brain metastasis.

Previously we reported isolation and characterization of estrogen independent B6TC cells that are derived from the stable spontaneous fusion of MDA-MB-231/GFP/Neo and ZR-75-1/GFP/puro in mouse bone marrow microenvironment. This chimeric B6TC has propensity to metastasize to brain when inoculated through intracardiac (I.C.) route, and express stem cell-like features. In the present study using B6TC, we have developed an efficient and novel mouse model for studying BCa-induced brain metastasis. We have generated three cell lines from B6TC through three successive rounds of inoculation in mouse and subsequent isolation of brain metastatic cells. Each round of selection enhanced the brain metastatic propensity. An initial microarray analysis identified genes like MMP1, HB-EGF, ST3GAL1, PTGS2, ITGA3, and CXCR4, which showed significant up-regulation in B6TC compared to its parental metastatic MDA-MB-231 or nonaggressive ZR-75-1 cells. These genes are implicated in metastasis regulation. A second round of RNA microarray was performed with three sublines of B6TC with successively enhanced brain metastatic propensity to identify unique potential brain metastatic genes showing gradual up or down-regulation over generations. From analysis of the gene expression profiles, apart from potent brain metastatic genes detected earlier, we also identified some molecular pathways, including TGF beta signaling pathway that are associated with enhanced brain metastasis. The B6TC model is novel for studying the molecular mechanism of brain metastasis, as in this model, apart from experimental metastasis in brain through I.C route, cells show spontaneous metastases to the brain from the primary tumor and this unique feature will enable us to study the mechanisms of the early steps of brain metastasis progression. Further analyses to find out common miRNAs that are over or under-expressed in the sublines over successive generations and determination of gene targets of miRNA are underway. This study will not only provide valuable insight into molecular mechanism of BCa-induced brain metastasis but also lay the foundation to identify novel prognostic and therapeutic markers of brain metastases, leading ultimately to the discovery of novel molecularly targeted drugs to prevent and eradicate BCa metastasis initiation, progression and recurrence.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-01-12.

[Motor-evoked potential in investigating neurologic function during spinal cord ischemia and reperfusion injury]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the method monitoring the neurologic function of spinal cord ischemia and reperfusion injury.

METHODS

Motor-evoked potentials (MEP)were monitored at different time points during ischemia and reperfusion of the lumbar spinal cord of the rat.

RESULTS

MEP latency increased 15 minutes after ischemia (P < 0.01) and MEP amplitude decreased 25 minutes after ischemia (P < 0.01). MEP disappeared 40 minutes after ischemia and reappeared 5 minutes after reperfusion, but the latency was still longer and the amplitude was lower than the normal value (P < 0.01). The amplitude returned to normal 2 hours after reperfusion (P > 0.05) in contrast to the latency. 24 hours after reperfusion, the amplitude decreased again, and motor function of rat hind limbs was more decreased than that at early time of reperfusion (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

MEP is a sensitive index for spinal cord ischemia and reperfusion injury.

[Risk factors of type 2 diabetes in Shenzhen]

OBJECTIVE

The study was designed to investigate the risk factors of Type 2 diabetes in the new city Shenzhen.

METHODS

A representative sample of 8,182 adults aged over 20 to 75 years old were randomly selected in the residents of Shenzhen, China in 1997. Type 2 diabetes was diagnosed according to the WHO criteria. Questionnaire survey, anthropometric measurement and blood analysis were carried out, and logistic regression analysis was used to study the risk factors.

RESULTS

The results showed that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in subjects with high total cholesterol were 4.9 times of those with lower TC value. Subjects with high triglyceride had a prevalence 5.7 times of those who had lower TG. Those HDL-ch had a prevalence 68.7% higher than those with normal HDL-ch value; on the other hand, those HDL-ch > 1.91 mmol/L were 44.6% lower in the prevalence than those with normal HDL-ch. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in subjects with BMI >or= 25 were 2.6 times of those with BMI < 25. Subject with hypertension (>or= 140/90 mm Hg) had a prevalence 3.8 times of those with normal blood pressure. Subjects with family history of type II diabetes had a prevalence 2.0 times of no family history, and women who had delivered babies over 4 kg had a prevalence 1.9 times of those who had babies less than 4 kg. Subjects with waist/hip ratio (WHR) >or= 1.0 had a prevalence 5.1 times of those with WHR < 1.0. The prevalence of type 2 Diabetes was higher with increasing amount of cigarette smoking and the duration (in years) of smoking or increasing drinking (alcohol) and the duration (in years) of drinking.

CONCLUSIONS

The blood glucose level was found to be positively correlated with TC or TG, and negatively correlated with HDL-ch. This study demonstrated again that TC, TG, HDL-ch, obesity, hypertension, family history of type 2 diabetes and in women, delivery of babies over 4 kg and age were risk factors of type 2 diabetes.

[Treatment of severe inhalation injury with endotracheal infusion of exogenous pulmonary surfactant]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the possibility and the effects of clinical application of exogenous pulmonary surfactant (PS).

METHODS

Two burned patients with severe inhalation injury were treated with 5% emulsified porcine PS by endotracheal infusion of 10 ml every 2 hours with the assistance of mechanical ventilation. The indices of patients' oxygenation and related pulmonary dynamics were observed.

RESULTS

Twenty-four hours after the application of exogenous PS, PaO(2) and PaO(2)/FiO(2) increased evidently, but (A -- a) DO(2) and RI decreased obviously and PaCO(2) sustained for the observing period. The index related pulmonary dynamics, DeltaV/DeltaP increased gradually.

CONCLUSION

With the assistance of mechanical ventilation, endotracheal infusion of exogenous PS could improve oxygenation and compliance of patients with severe inhalation injury. And the patients exhibited very good tolerance to exogenous PS.

[Temporary keratoprosthesis for surgery of severe injuries of ocular anterior and posterior segments]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the treatment of severe ocular injuries of anterior and posterior segments with temporary keratoprosthesis used in combined operations.

METHODS

With temporary keratoprosthesis a combined operation including pars plana vitrectomy, air-fluid exchange, silicone oil fill in, use of perfluorocarbon liquid, foreign body removal and partial penetrating keratoplasty was performed on 18 eyes of 18 patients with severe ocular injuries, and the postoperative changes and recovery were observed.

RESULTS

All eyes were rescued, the visual acuity was increased in 12 eyes, above 0.1 being in 5 eyes, retinal detachment recurred in 3 of 10 eyes, vitreous opacity was present in 1 eye, secondary glaucoma in 1 eye, and atrophy in 1 eye as its preoperative status.

CONCLUSION

Temporary keratoprosthesis used in the combined surgeries of anterior and posterior ocular segments is an effective method for treatment of severe ocular injuries.

[Gap formation features of humid evergreen broad-leaved forest in central subtropical Wawushan Mountain, Sichuan Province, China]

The primary and secondary subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests at an altitude of 1720-1750 m in Mt. Wawushan National Forest Park, southwestern China investigated to analyze their canopy gap formation characteristics. The sampling method and canopy formation causes were also discussed. In secondary evergreen broad-leaved forest, the gap density was surprisingly only 9 per hm2 and the size of all gaps was, no more than 10 m2. Almost every gap had only one gap maker, and the gap makers often died standing by suppression. Accordingly successful natural regeneration is difficult in small gap, due to the rapidly lateral growth of canopy trees. In primary evergreen broad-leaved forest, the gap density was 15 per hm2, and 56% of the gaps had an area of no more than 40 m2. The largest gap had an area of 256 m2. The canopy gap accounted for 11.1% and expended gap occupied 19.8% of land area in the forest. Median area of canopy gaps and expended gaps was 59 and 105 m2, respectively. Most gaps had more than one gap maker, and gap makers died falling and were often from mortality events separated in time. Most gaps aged over 10 yr and a few were formed recently and the estimated gap formation rate was 0.01 per year. According to falling direction of trees and the relations with growth process, slope aspect and wind, we deduced gap-maker death resulted from integrated influence among topography, climate particular in wind, tree growth characteristics, and interactions of population under competition. Adapting method of plot sampling and projection drawing used in the paper can improve investigation accuracy and help improving comparison of results in different investigation area.

[Loss of heterozygosity on chromosomes 17 and 16 in primary hepatocellular carcinomas]

OBJECTIVE

38 cases of hepatocellular (HCC) carcinomas were studied to detect loss of heterozygosity(LOH) at specific areas on chromosome 17 and 16, the possible relations were discussed between LOH and HBV/HCV infection and clinic-pathology of HCC.

METHODS

We detected LOH on chromosome 17 and 16 by using PCR based microsatel lite polymorphism analysis.

RESULTS

31 of 38(82%) tumors were deleted for at least one locus of 6 loci on chromosome 17. Loci D17S520 (17p12-p13.3) and TP53(17p13.1) occurred more frequent LOH(> 50%). But only one locus of the four loci on 17q occurred frequent LOH (40%), the other three loci occurred lower frequent LOH (< 30%). 26 (72%) of detected 36 HCC were positive for at least one locus of five loci on chromosome 16, and all 5 loci occurred higher frequent LOH (> 50%). The most frequent LOH(71%) occurred at D16S413(16q24). Relations were observed between LOH of p53 gene and HCV infection and tumor size, but no relations between LOH at other locus on chromosome 17 and 16 and HBV/HCV infection and clinical-pathology of HCC.

CONCLUSION

LOH on chromosome 17, especially LOH of p53 gene may play a role in the development of HCC. These results indicated that there may be more than one tumor suppressor gene related to the development and progression of HCC on chromosome 17 and 16.

Avascular necrosis of the femoral head: MR imaging with radiological and histological correlation

OBJECTIVE

To assess the value of MR in the diagnosis of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head.

METHODS

MR images in 34 consecutive patients (26 men and 8 women) with AVN (57 hips) were reviewed. All lesions were confirmed by radiographic, radionuclide, computed tomographic, and/or histologic examination. Eleven specimens were obtained after total replacement of the hip. Four hips underwent biopsy. All MR images were obtained using a 0.35 T superconductive imaging unit with SE sequence. Specimens were cut coronally into 5 mm thick section and radiographs were obtained.

RESULTS

There were four types of MR patterns of AVN. Type one appeared liner or patchy low signal area in the superoanterior portion of the femoral head. In type two, a band or ring of low signal intensity was found surrounding a central area of high signal intensity on T1WI and intermediate signal intensity on T2WI. The low signal band or ring consisted of thickened trabecular bone, mesenchymal and fibrous tissue, and amorphous acidophilic cellular debris. The central zones within the ring were composed of necrotic bone and marrow that had not been reached by the repair process. In type three, the focal subchondral region showed intermediate signal intensity on T1WI and high signal on T2WI surrounded by a low signal ring. The low signal ring consisted of thickened trabecular bone and little mesenchymal tissue. The central area was composed of mesenchymal tissue rich in capillaries and cystic necrotic zones. In type four, the signal intensity of femoral head was inhomogeneous on both T1WI and T2WI. There were low signal bands in the femoral neck surrounding the necrotic zone. Only limited areas of some lesions had signal intensity isointense with fat on T1WI and T2WI. The inhomogeneous area of low signal intensity consisted of a mixture of necrotic bone and marrow, amorphous cellular debris. The first type of MR pattern corresponded to the early stage of radiograph, and the third type of MR pattern to stage 5. The second and fourth type of MR patterns correlated less with the radiographic stage.

CONCLUSIONS

MR imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis of AVN of femoral head especially in the early detection of AVN. The MR patterns of AVN is not correlated with radiographic stages exactly.

Cyclosporin A treatment for idiopathic membranous nephropathy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of cyclosporin A (CSA) in the treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN), a prospective controlled clinical study was performed.

METHODS

This study included a group of 30 IMN patients, among them 15 were treated with CSA and 15 with captopril (CAP). The diagnosis of IMN was made with exclusion of secondary forms of membranous nephropathy by extensive clinical and pathological studies. No patients received steroids or cytotoxic agents for six months prior to enrollment. In the CSA group, CSA was given at an initial dosage of 5 mg.kg-1.d-1, gradually tailed off over the first three months and maintained at 2 mg.kg-1.d-1 for 12 months. In the CAP group, CAP was given at a dosage of 37.5 mg/day.

RESULTS

In the first three months, 6 (6/15) complete remissions (CR) and 2 (2/15) partial remissions (PR) were observed in the CSA group while only 2 (2/15) PRs were observed in the CAP group. Before the end of the 15-months, 8 patients in the CSA group experienced CR and 4 patients experienced PR. One CR patient relapsed as the dosage of CSA was reduced, so 7 patients remained in CR at the end of the first 15-months. No additional CR or PR was observed in the CAP group during late follow-up. At the last visit (an average follow-up time of 44 months) in the CSA-group, another 2 CR patients had relapsed and 1 CR patient shifted to PR after stopping the CSA treatment, so 4 CR and 5 PR remained in the CSA group. In the CAP group, 3 spontaneous CRs occurred beyond 1.5 year's follow-up, with 3 CR and 2 PR at the last visit. No difference was found between the averages of the initial and the last serum creatinine levels in either group. No serious adverse effects were found during CSA treatment. Re-biopsy data of three patients responsive to CSA treatment showed that no pathological improvement of glomerular basement membrane was observed, even in cases at remission. Tubulointerstitial fibrosis was found in 1 relapsed CR patient, whose serum creatinine increased above the normal range, but not in the other 2 patients whose serum creatinine remained in the normal range.

CONCLUSIONS

CSA therapy at a dosage of 5 mg.kg-1.d-1 is effective in inducing remission of nephrotic syndrome in adult IMN patients within three months, with a response rate of 80%. A relatively high rate of relapse (50%) was observed within 2 years after the withdrawal of CSA treatment.

[Expression of Fas on monocytes and the level of plasma soluble FasL in patients with chronic renal failure]

OBJECTIVE

The dysfunction of monocytes in uremic patients has been demonstrated to be associated with monocyte accelerated apoptosis. The study was conducted toelucidate the mechanisms by which monocyte apoptosis was induced.

METHODS

Seven non-dialyzed chronic uremic patients and 18 hemodialysis (HD) patients were enrolled in the study. Fifteen healthy volunteers were selected as controls. The expression of Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) was examined by immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometer analysis. The levels of soluble FasL (sFasL) in plasma were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The percentage of apoptotic cells in monocytes cultured in vitro with recombinant human FasL (rHu-FasL) was quantitated by DNA content analysis after extraction of the degraded DNA. Monocyte survival rate was analyzed by 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) staining.

RESULTS

Expression of Fas on monocytes was significantly higher in uremic and HD patients than that in healthy subjects. Higher levels of Fas expression were demonstrated on monocytes from HD as patients compared with those from non-dialyzed patients. There was no difference in monocyte Fas expression between pre- and post-dialysis session and between patients using polysulfone and cellulose dialyzer. There was no detectable FasL expression on monocytes from both uremic patients and healthy controls. Plasma sFasL could be detected in uremic and HD patients, but not in healthy controls. There was no significant difference in levels of plasma sFasL between non-dialyzed and HD patients, pre- and post-dialysis session, and patients treated with polysulfone and cellulose dialyzer. When monocytes were cultured in vitro with rHu-FasL for 2 hours, higher levels of apoptosis and lower survival rate were found in monocytes from HD patients as compared with those from healthy controls.

CONCLUSION

The up-regulated expression of functional Fas on monocytes and the presence of sFasL in plasma may contribute to the accelerated apoptosis of monocytes seen in uremic patients.

[A study on the effect of house dust mite on interleukin-10 secretion of peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with allergic asthma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between interleukin (IL)-10 and allergic asthma, and the effect of antigen on IL-10.

METHODS

The supernatant of cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLC) from 20 patients with allergic asthma and 20 normal subjects with different stimuli [home-dust-mite (HDM) or dexamethasone] was determined for IL-10, by means f enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

(1) IL-10 was significantly decreased in asthma group, as compared with the control group (P < 0.01); (2) Less IL-10 was released in HDM-stimulated PBLC in asthma (P < 0.01); (3) IL-10 was obviously increased in dexamethason-stimulated whether in the asthma or in the control group.

CONCLUSION

The diminished IL-10 production from PBLC could be related to asthmatic attack in patients with allergic asthma. Dexamethason might exert, at least, a part of anti-inflammatory activity by inducing IL-10 secretion of PBLC.

[Clinical effect of captopril in diabetic patients with complicated acute myocardial infarction]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the clinical character of the diabetic patients with complicated acute myocardial infarction and to evaluate the earlyterm effect of captopril on these patients.

METHODS

In a multi-centre, randomized, double -blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial of ACEI for AMI in China. In a total of 14 666 AMI patients 1 376 had diabetes mellitus. The 1 376 diabetic patients with complicated AMI were randomized into captopril (669) and placebo (707). All the patients were treated with captopril (12.5mg three times daily) or placebo for four weeks.

RESULTS

The results of the entire study showed that the four-week mortality of AMI showed significant difference between patients with and without diabetes (14.75% vs 8.89%, P < 0.0001). The four-week mortality of AMI in patients with diabetes showed no significant difference between those treated with captopril and placebo (14.95% vs. 14.57% P > 0.05). Rates of incidence of main complications within four weeks also showed no significant difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

After AMI, for the patients with diabetes, treatment with captopril not show a beneficial effect on the early-term prognosis.

Clinical and experimental studies on the treatment of senile constipation with shenshen wan

From August 1988 through February 1991, we have successfully treated 400 cases of senile constipation with self-made Shenshen Wan with a total effective rate of 98%. A group of patients taking Maren Wan served as controls. Clinical practice has proved that Shenshen Wan can not only relax the bowels, but also improve renal function. Furthermore, no side effects whatever were observed after a prolonged administration of the pills.

239 cases of high fever in viral upper respiratory infection (URI) treated with xiang shi qing jie (XSQJ) bag tea

XSQJ bag tea was used to treat 239 cases of high fever caused by viral upper respiratory infection, widely spreading in summer and autumn. For comparison, a control group treated by penicillin combined with Ganmao Qingre Chongji or Banlangen Chongji was set up. The results showed the effect of XSQJ bag tea on the time of abating fever, resolving symptoms and physical signs were significantly better than that of the control group.