[Genetic diversity of mtDNA of domestic camels (C. bactrianus) in China]

In this paper the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of 87 domestic camels from Gansu, Xingjiang and Inner Mongolia were analyzed. Totally 18 restriction endonucleases including Apa I, Ava I, BamH I, Bcl I, Bgl I, Bgl II, Dra I, EcoR I, EcoR V, Hind III, Kpn I, Pvu II, Sac I, Sal I, Sca I, Sma I, Xba I and Xho I were used to investigate the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of camel mtDNA through Southern blotting to reveal the genetic diversity within three groups of domestic camel and the genetic relationships among the three domestic groups. The results indicated that the average molecular weight of camel mtDNA is 16.26 +/- 0.28 kb, the camel mtDNA is inherited maternally and no variations and heteroplasmy are found in camel mtDNA. Among the 82 domestic camels, 35 restriction morph and 12 haplotypes were detected, and the value of average sequence variation within the domestic population (pi) is 0.2273%, which showed a relatively rich genetic diversity existed in the domestic camels. From F-test of the haplotype distribution and comparison of the haplotype sharement between the 3 domestic camel groups, it was suggested that there is no obvious genetic divergence and that the rich genetic diversity comes from the variation among individuals instead of the genetic divergence between groups. All domestic camels could be divided into 2 types (A and B) with a significant genetic distance (P = 0.0464).

Synthesis of 6-aziridinylbenzimidazole derivatives and their in vitro antitumor activities

In search for new antitumor agents, twelve 6-aziridinylbenzimidazole derivatives were synthesized and their cytotoxicities were tested against three cancer cell lines (mouse lymphocytic leukemia P388 and B16, and human gastric carcinoma SNU-16). From 4-amino-3-nitrotoluene as the starting material, 2-(acetoxymethyl)benzimidazoles (5a-d) were obtained by Phillips reaction. These benzimidazoles were then reacted with Fremy's salt to give a mixture of three 2-(acetoxymethyl) (8a-c) and four 2-(hydroxymethyl)benzimidazole-4,7-diones (9a-d). Addition of these quinones with aziridine afforded 6-aziridinyl-2-(acetoxymethyl) (10a-c) and 6-aziridinyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)benzimidazole-4,7-diones (11a-d). Utilizing 2-(hydroxymethyl)benzimidazole-4,7-diones (9b,d), esters 10d and 13e-h were prepared by the sequential reactions of esterification and addition. The synthesized compounds show potent cytotoxicity against all of three cell lines tested. The cytotoxicities of 10a-d or 11a-d against SNU-16 were superior to those of 13e-h, and were equal to or slightly higher than that of mitomycin C. Compounds 11a-d were slightly more cytotoxic than 10a-d in all cell lines tested.

Extensive wound excision in the acute shock stage in patients with major burns

In order to reduce excessive plasma loss, to alleviate the effects of devitalized tissues on the body, and to shorten the time in hospital, we attempted to perform extensive escharectomy during the shock period in extensively burned patients. Group A consisted of 21 patients, aged 9-45 years, with a mean total burn area of 63.2 +/- 18.1 per cent TBSA, and full-thickness injury involving 35.9 +/- 19.6 per cent TBSA. The first escharectomy was performed at 24.1 +/- 13.9 h postburn. The excision area averaged 32.3 +/- 6.7 per cent TBSA (range 24-96 per cent). In 15 patients a Swan-Ganz catheter was introduced to monitor haemodynamic changes. It was found that RAP, PAP, PAWP, ABP, HR, CO and CI were all stable during and after the operation. Group B consisted of 29 patients, and escharectomy was begun 4-5 days postburn. The mean healing time of the patients in group A was 33.1 days, which was shorter than that in group B (40.1 days). The period of haemoconcentration was shorter in group A and the amount of blood required during the first 2 weeks was almost 700 ml less in group A. There were fewer visceral complications in group A and smaller amounts of antibiotics were required in this group. The authors believe that escharectomy during the shock stage is feasible.

[2 homoharringtonine resistant leukemic cell lines (K562 HHT and L1210 HHT): establishment, characterization and mechanisms of action]

We developed two leukemic cell lines (K562 HHT and L1210 HHT) stably 16.7 fold and 13.4 fold resistant to HHT respectively with which the culture were treated. Both cell lines were also cross-resistant to DOX, VCR, DNR and Mel. Increased expression of MDR1 gene in the both lines was noted. To further evaluate the implications of MDR1 in HHT resistance. We studied the expression of MDR1 in sensitive and HHT-resistant sublines of K562 by ABC with an monoclonal antibody against P170, JSB-1. K562 HHT cells were positive but sensitive cells were negative. Additionally, the increased drug resistance was associated with increased level of expression of alpha and pi class GST gene, but not with increased level of expression of mu class GST gene.

Radioimmunodetection of prostatic cancer: in vivo use of antibody against r-seminoprotein for diagnosis of prostatic cancer

Forty patients (25 cases of prostatic cancer and 15 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia) were examined with radioimmunodetection (RAID) using antibody against r-Seminoprotein (r-Sm). The images of malignant tumor sites were revealed from the scan of single photon emission computerized tomography with the tracing of dual radionuclide and computer digital subtraction technique. Of the 25 patients with prostatic cancer tested, twenty-four were demonstrated in RAID with a positive rate of 96%. The ratio of taking in nuclide radioactivity between the tumor tissue and normal tissue (T/N) was 6.9 and the best showing time was the 96th hr from injection of radioactive antibody against r-Sm. The minimum diameter of the tumor detected in RAID was 0.5 cm. All of the 8 cases of metastatic prostatic cancer in pelvic or bone location were detected, with a rate of 100%. Of the 15 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia, only one showed mild positive result. B-ultrasonography and CT showed a positive detective rate of 72.7% and 65%, respectively. Our results have indicated that RAID using 131I-labeled antibody against r-Sm possesses more advantages in specificity, because RAID not only defines the involved sites, but also shows the sites of the original tumors, and the metastatic location as well as the relationship between them.

[Treatment of ABO blood type incompatibility caused early abortion with traditional Chinese medicine]

This results of 30 cases with the history of abortion due to ABO blood type incompatibility treated with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) were reported. The titer of serum IgG anti A/B antibody were determined in these patients. Antibody titer < or = 1:128 before pregnancy or < or = 1:64 after pregnancy were treated with TCM till delivery. 25 cases gave birth at full term, 5 cases were before term. Abortion, stillbirth or hemolytic newborn death were not found. The lower the maternal serum IgG anti A/B titer, the lower the incidence of hemolytic jaundice; while the earlier the treatment after pregnancy, the lower the occurrence of hemolytic jaundice also.