Major role of antigen-presenting cells in the response of rat encephalitogenic T cells to myelin basic proteins

The encephalitogenic potential of a segment of myelin basic protein in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis is not always mirrored by the ability of the peptide to mediate in vitro activation of encephalitogenic T cells. Recent studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that the responsiveness of Ag-specific T cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis is determined not exclusively by Ag but also by the nature of the APC. By varying APC during the in vitro selection of T cells, we could generate distinct sets of rat encephalitogenic T cells, as evidenced by the diversity of TCR usage. Here we establish the importance of APC in the activation of rat encephalitogenic T cells by myelin basic protein peptides. Peptides 69-84-Gly and (P80)68-86, which lacked stimulatory activity toward many encephalitogenic T cells in our proliferation assay when standard APC were used, become strongly stimulatory in the presence of less commonly used APC, i.e., an Ia+ T cell clone (LOA) or an Ia-inducible rat glial cell clone (F10). Nonstimulatory APC failed to activate encephalitogenic T cells even when major cytokines were added, suggesting that these cytokines are not among the factors limiting the activating potential of the APC. Thus, whether or not an immunocompetent T cell can be activated by a given Ag in an autoimmune response may be determined by the properties of APC. This finding has implications for current research efforts to identify pathogenic self proteins.

Carbon dioxide volume and intra-abdominal pressure determination before the creation of a pneumoperitoneum

Laparoscopic surgery generally is regarded as a safe procedure when a preset pressure is used in the carbon dioxide insufflator. However, a fixed pressure setting is not appropriate when insufflating a very large or a very small abdomen. Presently, extrapolation from the commonly used 15 mm Hg to an appropriate and safe pressure cannot be easily determined except by a crude trial and error method. We developed an anthropometric formula to calculate the total abdominal cavity capacity and the corresponding pressure necessary to obtain safe pneumoperitoneum. This anthropometric formula calculates the total abdominal capacity by measuring one diameter from the symphysis pubis to the xyphoid bone, a second diameter as half the initial measurement, and a third diameter by dividing the waist measurement (minus an estimated percentage of body fat) and dividing that product by pi. The product of the three diameters is then multiplied by a constant (K = 0.5). We studied prospectively 20 patients whose indications for laparoscopic surgery necessitated creation of a pneumoperitoneum. The patients were divided into two groups: group A (n = 10), patients who were observed with the intra-abdominal pressure fixed at 15 mm Hg while recording the amount of distension produced in the abdominal cavity during creation of the pneumoperitoneum; and group B (n = 10) in whom pneumoperitoneum was obtained based on the initial volume of carbon dioxide-insufflation previously calculated using our formula. Based on our observations, we conclude that this anthropometric formula can be used successfully in predicting a safe level of insufflation in relation to the patient's size.

[Twenty-years health surveillance of workers in dipterex packaging]

Data of health surveillance from 1970 to 1989 for the workers employed in dipterex packaging were collected and statistically analyzed with a microcomputer by scoring their whole blood choline esterase activities and symptoms and signs. Results showed working environment improved and air pollution and absorption of pollutants via skin decreased with technology innovation and longterm hygienic supervision, monitoring and health surveillance in the factory. Incidence of dipterex poisoning in workers employed in the department of pesticide packaging lowered significantly, from 25.26% in the early 1970's to 5.17% in late 1970's and to 1.85% during 1980's, with periodical physical examinations for them, and timely management of the patients with poisoning and the cases at high risk.

[Genetic analysis of familial hypertension]

In order to study the genetic mode of familial hepertension, 63 pedigreses, including 140 nuclear pedigrees, of familial hypertension were investigated by means of pedigreed analysis and segregative analysis. Pedigreed analysis revealed that there is an evident phenomenon of vertical transmission in familial hypertension. It is hypothesed that there is a segregative ratio of dominant inheritance in A x U and A x A marital types, which is supported by segregative analysis. The data obtained suggest that the familial hypertension is an autosomal dominant hereditary disease. It is suggested that the genetic modes of familial hypertension could be different according to the different marital types of the patients. This finding suggests that the disease has a genetic heterogeneity. The research results will provide the reference evidence for the prevention, treatment and diagnosis of familial hypertension.

[Follow-up studies on hepatitis G infection in plasma donors with positive antibody against hepatitis C]

Antibodies against hepatitis G (anti-HGV) and HGV RNA were detected for frozen stored sera collected from 102 plasma donors and those subjects with positive anti-HGV and HGV RNA were followed-up for three years to study prevalence of HGV infection in them and their end-results. Anti-HGV was detected by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) with embedded antigen of synthetic peptide derived from different function regions of HGV. HGV RNA was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with primers derived from NS3 region of HGV. Results showed that 19.61 percent (20/102) and 17.65 percent (18/102) of the plasma donors were positive for HGV RNA and anti-HGV, respectively, and 24.51 percent of them were infected with HGV (either positive for anti-HGV or HGV RNA), while only 0.94 percent (1/106) positive in the controls. It suggests that plasma donation is an important risk factor for HGV infection. Negative conversion rates of HGV RNA and anti-HGV during three-year follow-up were only 35.00 and 11.11 percent, respectively (7/20 and 2/18), which indicated a tendency of chronic carriage status in HGV infection.

Elevated expression of DNA ligase I in human cancers

PURPOSE

Human DNA ligase I plays an essential role in DNA replication, recombination, and repair by catalyzing the formation of phosphodiester bonds between adjacent 5'-phosphoryl and 3'-hydroxyl termini at single breaks in duplex DNA molecules. DNA ligase I is responsible for the majority of DNA ligase activity present in proliferating cells among four different forms of DNA ligases, designated DNA ligase I, II, III, and IV. In this study, we were interested in comparing DNA ligase I level in human tumors versus normal tissues and in studying whether the inhibition of DNA ligase I could lead to tumor cell death.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

DNA ligase I level was measured by Western immunoblot assay in various human malignant tumor specimens and benign tissues obtained from patients, in peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from healthy donors, and in human tumors grown in nude mice. We also have designed antisense oligonucleotides (ODNs) targeting the mRNA of DNA ligase I and tested whether DNA ligase I antisense ODNs could control tumor cell growth.

RESULTS

The amount of DNA ligase I enzyme in malignant tumors was considerably higher than that in benign normal tissues and peripheral blood lymphocytes. The level of DNA ligase I in human tumors grown in nude mice was also very high, and the expression of DNA ligase I appears to be constitutive during in vivo tumor development. We have observed that DNA ligase I antisense ODN inhibited tumor cell growth in a dose-response manner, but nonspecific control ODNs had little effect on the growth of the same cell lines.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of DNA ligase I at higher levels in human tumors than in benign normal tissues and normal peripheral lymphocytes suggests DNA ligase I plays more of a role in proliferating cells than in resting cells. These results, together with our finding that DNA ligase I antisense ODNs can suppress tumor cell proliferation, warrant the design and testing of human DNA ligase I inhibitors as new anticancer agents.

[Assessing health state utility using the short form 36]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the methods of utility assessment using the short form 36.

METHODS

The authors selected 70 people stratified by age, sex, and occupation in a city in Sichuan province, and investigated the preference of the population on each domain or item by paired comparison with other domains or items. Based on the preference, the weights of the domains and items were calculated.

RESULTS

The weights of all the 8 domains and the items within 7 domains except the first domain "physical functions" were identified. The total score and the scores of the domains calculated by weighted adding method were significantly different from those calculated by simple adding method. However, only little variation of the scores of the domains between the two methods appeared.

CONCLUSION

Utility calculated by weighted adding method may reflect people's preference to the health states more accurately. However, the value is limited in using weighted adding method for calculating the scores of domains.

Removal of natural organic matter from water using a nano-structured photocatalyst coupled with filtration membrane

A study of the characteristics of a novel photocatalyst indicated that it consisted of 17.3 nm nano size (average) TiO2 in the anatase phase and porous Fe2O3. SEM results revealed that nano size TiO2 was uniformly deposited onto the surface of Fe2O3 to form a bulk photocatalyst, as TiO2/Fe2O3. The porous TiO2/Fe2O3 catalyst had a BET surface area of 168 m2/g, which is three times higher than that of commercial TiO2. The experimental results indicated that the suspended TiO2/Fe2O3 photocatalyst in a photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) reactor was effective in removing TOC at 61.58% and color400 at 93.25% at 180 min illumination time, under 0.4 g/l catalyst loading and pH 7. Experimental results also revealed that pH at 7 and TiO2/Fe2O3 loading at 0.4 g/l was the optimum condition for removal of humic acids using a PCO reactor. Experimental results clearly indicated that the permeate flux rate of the ultrafiltration (UF) membrane was improved and the filtration membrane fouling phenomenon was reduced with the addition of TiO2/Fe2O3 photocatalysts to the UF membrane system. It was found that increasing the filtration time from 40 min to 185 min, the improvement to the permeate flux rate was from 57 to 83 L/hr x m2.

A NOVEL FLT4 GENE MUTATION AND MR LYMPHANGIOGRAPHY IN A CHINESE FAMILY WITH MILROY DISEASE

Milroy disease is a congenital onset lymphedema linked to FLT4 gene mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain. So far, a total of 59 different FLT4 variants have been identified. Here, we report a novel FLT4 gene mutation in a Chinese family with Milroy disease and present their clinical symptoms and MR lymphangiographic findings.

Risk factors for severe COPD exacerbation in Chinese adults

BACKGROUND

Severe exacerbation is the predominant cause of COPD hospitalisation. We investigated sex-specific risk factors of severe exacerbation and explored the potential interactions of regions, smoking status, and age.

METHODS

The present study included 13,641 males and 13,051 females with spirometry-defined COPD at baseline from the China Kadoorie Biobank. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of risk factors with severe exacerbation were estimated using the Cox models.

RESULTS

During a median of 11.5 years follow-up, 5,967 cases of COPD hospitalisation were recorded. GOLD (Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease) stage, tobacco smoking, and underweight were positively associated with COPD hospitalisation in both sexes. Stronger associations were observed in females than in males; the corresponding HRs for males and females were respectively 1.87 (95% CI 1.73-2.03) and 2.47 (95% CI 2.24-2.72) for a history of respiratory diseases and 1.46 (95% CI 1.33-1.60) and 1.65 (95% CI 1.46-1.87) for coughing frequently and coughing up sputum after getting up in the morning for ≥3 months. Higher risks were found among urban residents, non-current smokers, and patients <60 years old.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings may help clinicians and the public to identify COPD patients at high risk of exacerbation requiring hospitalisation and take targeted measures in time..

TREATMENT OF SECONDARY LOWER LIMB LYMPHEDEMA AFTER GYNECOLOGIC CANCER WITH COMPLEX DECONGESTIVE THERAPY

Secondary lower extremity lymphedema is a common complication of treatment for gynecological cancers. Conservative therapy plays an important role in the treatment of patients with secondary lower extremity lymphedema; in particular, complex decongestive therapy (CDT) has been recognized as an effective nonoperative technique for these patients. But CDT therapy for secondary lower extremity lymphedema remains a problem in China because this technique and its effectiveness have not achieved widespread use and popularity. Our goal was to assess effects of CDT in patients with secondary lower limb lymphedema after treatment for gynecological cancers. The retrospective study consisted of 60 patients who were treated with 20 sessions of CDT. Assessments included objective changes in limb circumference, degree of LE, imaging features, and incidence of erysipelas before and after CDT treatment. We found that CDT can effectively improve lymph stasis and promote backflow, and decrease circumference, interstitial fluid content, and incidence of erysipelas of lymphedematous lower limb. Our results demonstrate that CDT is an effective treatment method for patients with secondary lower limb lymphedema following treatment for gynecologic cancers. This technique should be more widely utilized and popularized in China to improve the quality of life of millions of patients with secondary lower limb lymphedema.

A comparative study of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in Lewis and DA rats

We compared the T cell responses of Lewis (LEW) and DA rats to guinea pig myelin basic protein (MBP), the synthetic peptides corresponding to the epitopes that are encephalitogenic in the LEW strain (MBP73-86, MBP68-86, and MBP87-99), and bovine proteolipid protein (PLP). DA and LEW rats were susceptible to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced with MBP or MBP68-86, but the peptide was less active in DA rats than in intact MBP molecule. MBP73-86 and MBP87-99 induced EAE in LEW rats but not in the DA strain. MBP89-169 was also encephalitogenic in DA rats. Encephalitogenic CDa+ T cell lines and clones derived from MBP-sensitized DA rats secreted IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha and proliferated to MBP and MBP89-169, but not to MBP68-88. However, T cells from MBP68-86-sensitized DA or LEW rats proliferated specifically in an I-A-restricted response to MBP68-86. T cells from MBP87-99-immunized LEW rats responded to MBP87-99 in the context of I-E, whereas the peptide-specific response of MBP87-99 immunized DA rats was I-A-restricted, although FACScan analysis indicated that DA rats express both I-A and I-E. DA rats were also highly susceptible to EAE induced with PLP; 0.6 nmol was Encephalitogenic for DA rats, but did not induce clinical EAE in LEW rats. Although both DA and LEW rats are highly susceptible to EAE, we demonstrate marked differences in the array of myelin epitopes capable of inducing the disease, as well as the MHC restriction of these epitopes, between the two rat strains.

[Electron microscopy of elastic system fibers in the rat mandibular joint]

We study the Elastic System Fibers (ESFs) in the rat mandibular joint using light microscope and image analyzer system and Electron Microscope. The results showed that the ESFs in the articular disc and capsule were more than in the articular cartilage. In addition, microfibrils and elaunin were the principal ESFs in all the articular components. The microfibrils in the articular surfaces ran at nearly right angle to the collagen fibers. The ESFs beneath the articular surfaces and the other articular components showed no specific directivity. ESFs construct an extensive fibers network in the disc and the capsule.

[Spectral interferences of rare earth elements observed with a high resolution inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer. V. Spectral interferences of lutetium, thulium, yttrium and ytterbium as matrices]

The spectral interferences of Lu, Tm, Y and Yb (100 microns.mL-1, separately) as matrices on the other REEs (1 or 5 microns.mL-1) were observed with a high resolution ICP-AES with a grating of 3,600 grooves.mm-1. Totally 66 analytical lines of 15 REEs were selected as the prominent lines for spectral interference studies. The "Q" values and "the true detection limit" were calculated for the selected prominent lines with the exist of the four matrix elements. The obtained information is useful in the selection of the best analytical lines for the determination of REEs in the other REEs' matrices.

Relationship between the renin-angiotensin system genes and diabetic nephropathy in the Chinese

OBJECTIVE

To clarify whether genetic variants of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) contribute to the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in the Chinese.

METHODS

Totally 173 Chinese subjects of Han nationality from Shanghai were classified into! control, DN (-) and DN (+) groups. The latter was subdivided according to diabetic duration at the onset of DN and the stage of DN. Genotyping of five polymorphic sites in four key genes of the RAS: the AGT-T174M, AGT-M235T and AGTR1 genotypes were determined by PCR/restriction enzyme digestion. The insertion/deletion (I/D) and [ACAC] n-STR microsatellite polymorphic markers were used for ACE and REN genotyping, respectively. Statistical analysis showed comparisons of gene frequencies between any two groups were made with Fisher's exact test or Chi-square test. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of DN.

RESULTS

The frequencies of ACE-DD genotype and ACE-D allele were much higher in DN(+) group than in DN (-) group (0.25 vs 0.05, 0.47 vs 0.29, respectively), so were the frequencies of TT genotype and T allele in AGT-M235T (0.73 vs 0.54, 0.85 vs 0.68, respectively). DN (+) DUR < 5 years group had greatly increased frequencies of AGT-M235T allele and ACE-DD genotype in comparison with DN(-) group (0.92 vs 0.68 and 0.28 vs 0.05, respectively). Logistic regression analysis further identified these two genes as contributing factors to DN. Although AGTR1 and AGT-T174M genotyping analysis revealed differences in frequency distribution between DN (+) and DN (-) or control groups, logistic regression analysis failed to implicate them in the development of DN.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed RAS genes, ACE and AGT-M235T but not AGT-T174M, AGTR1 or REN genotypes, as contributing factors for DN in type 2 diabetes mellitus in Chinese.

[In situ observation of apoptosis and proliferation in breast cancer and its precancerous lesions]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of apoptosis and proliferation on malignant transformation of breast precancerous lesions by in situ observation.

METHODS

The density and distribution of apoptotic cells were examined in 31 cases with breast cancer, 20 with dysplasia and 20 with hyperplasia, using TUNEL (TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling) technique and immunohistochemical method respectively. Eight normal breast tissues were used as the control.

RESULTS

In normal breast tissue, apoptotic cells were located at the lacteals and gland follicles, facing the cavity. The proliferating cells were located at the basal layer of mucosa. These characteristics of distribution were lost in breast cancer and precancerous lesions. The density of apoptotic cells and proliferating cells of dysplasia was significantly higher than that in breast cancer and normal mucosa, The density of apoptotic cells and proliferating cells in breast cancer was significantly higher than that in normal mucosa. The ratio of apoptotic to proliferating cells in hyperplasia and dysplasia was 1:1.3-1.4, 1:1.1-1.2 respectively, and 1:2.3-2.4 in breast cancer.

CONCLUSION

Abnormality in cell apoptosis and proliferation may play important role in the genesis of breast cancer.

[The effect of the emergent vaccination using DTP vaccine to control the outbreak of pertussis]

This paper reports the results of the effects of the emergent vaccination with DTP vaccine to control the outbreak of pertussis. Objects of observation were 4-6 years old children of kindergarten having pertussis vaccination and exposed history. The children were at random divided into two groups: 76 children were vaccinated with DTP vaccine and 72 children were inoculated with placebo. The results of observation: there was no strong and abnormal reaction in the vaccinated children; two weeks and three months after emergent vaccination with DTP vaccine, GMT antibody of pertussis were increased 18.14 and 4.73 times more than before vaccination respectively. There were no differences of the attack rates average days from vaccination to onset, average days of cough (P greater than 0.2) within 21 days after vaccination between the two groups. The protection rate was 62.11% three months after vaccination. The results showed that the emergent vaccination with DTP to control the outbreak of pertussis was safe and effective.

[Influences of Freon-12 (CF2CCl2) on the electron number densities in an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) measured with Halpha line--the applications of ICP in the disposal of hazardous waste]

The inductively coupled plasma was applied to decompose Freon 12 (CF2CCl2). The efficiency of the decomposition was indirectly evaluated by comparing the electron number densities in the central channel of the ICP with the addition of different amounts of Freon-12. Halpha line (656.3nm) was used to measure the electron number density due to Hbeta line (486.1nm) is seriously interfered with the addition of Freon-12 under the selected operating conditions. The "thermal pinch" effect was found with the addition of Freon-12, which is beneficial to the complete decomposition of the compound.