[140 cases of acute leukemia caused by bimolane]

The cooperative group included 18 provincial and district hospitals. A retrospective study was carried out on 140 cases of therapy related leukemia (TRL) caused by bimolane (BML) for psoriasis from 1984 to 1992. This series of BML-TRL consists of 90 male and 50 female patients. 87.1% of them were from 20 to 50 years old. Annual incidence varied from 4 to 24 cases, and was maintained at this level through the period from 1986 to 1991 without any declining tendency. The average time interval between BML administration and diagnosis of leukemia was 46 months. 138 cases were diagnosed as ANLL and 2 cases were suspected of having ALL. Subtype frequency was shown as follows: M3 > M2 > M5 > M4 > M1 > M6. 67.1% of the patients had a low peripheral white blood cell counts (< 5 x 10(9)/L). 116 patients received chemotherapy. A 26.7% remission rate was obtained with 18.1% complete remission and 8.6% partial remission. A 115 day median survival was calculated through a follow up survey of 95 patients. Finally, we concluded that: (1) This has been the largest group of non-cancer-therapy-related-leukemia patients ever reported. This type of leukemia is characterized by a shorter latent period, higher remission rate less incidence of myelodysplastic syndrome and more frequent occurrence of leukopenia, as compared with other types of TRL. BML is supposed to be a strong leukemia-causing cytotoxic agent. Use of this drug in psoriasis and other benign diseases is not recommended.

[Immunohistochemical study and evaluation of histogenesis of cardiac myxoma]

In this paper are presented the results of immunohistochemical study of 52 cardiac myxomas, including 2 with glandular structures, and the histogenesis of cardiac myxoma is discussed. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that in all these cases, myxoma cells were positive for vimentin and negative for factor VIII, desmin and actin. In 5 cases, myxoma cells were positive for S-100 protein. The 2 cases with glandular structure were positive for CEA, EMA and Cytokeratin. Histochemical staining showed that PAS AB (pH 1.0), PAS AB (pH 2.5) and HID AB were positive with the glandular elements. The results suggest that cardiac myxomas may be derived from "embryonal rests" and that the glandular structure may originate from entrapped primitive gut rests.

Relative bioavailability of L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate in broiler chickens

Broiler chick diets and drinking water were supplemented with two sources of vitamin C: crystalline L-ascorbic acid (AsA) or L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (APP) to provide 0, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1,600, and 3,200 ppm (mg/kg) AsA. The bioavailability of APP relative to AsA, as estimated by the change in plasma AsA concentration, was evaluated during 24-h periods of supplementation. When provided in the feed, no differences in dietary AsA content were attributed to vitamin source. In contrast, APP administration at 25 and 50 ppm, resulted in higher (P < .001) AsA values in drinking water when compared with AsA supplementation. Plasma AsA values were elevated (P < .05) above baseline when either AsA or APP were supplemented in the feed or water at a level of 400 ppm or greater. Plasma AsA concentrations, following supplementation of the diets, were higher (P < .05) in AsA-treated (800 ppm) chicks when compared with APP-supplemented chicks. During water supplementation, AsA (800 ppm) and APP (3,200 ppm) administration resulted in higher plasma AsA values when compared with their alternate vitamin source. At all other levels of water supplementation, no differences in plasma AsA were associated with vitamin source. The absence of a consistent difference in plasma AsA, relative to vitamin source, suggests that the isolated differences observed may be due to chance. It was concluded that APP was of similar bioavailability to that of AsA, as estimated by the ability to elevate plasma AsA concentrations in broiler chicks.

[Effect of stimulation of gigantocellulars reticular nucleus on the spontaneous and evoked activities of cerebellar Purkinje cells in the rat]

In anesthetized and paralyzed rats, the effect of stimulation of Gigantocellulars Reticular Nucleus (Gi) on spontaneous and evoked simple spike discharges of cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) was examined. The result were as follows: (1) Stimulation of Gi elicited either inhibitory or excitatory effect on spontaneous simple spikes of PCs with latency less than 20 ms, being inhibitory in the most cases. The inhibitory responses lasted for 40-100 ms, while the excitatory ones were sometimes longer than 200 ms; (2) Injection of 5-HT2 receptor antagonist methysergide could reversibly attenuate or block the inhibitory effect of Gi stimulation on spontaneous simple spike discharges of PCs; (3) The evoked simple spike responses of PCs elicited by stimulating the contralateral cerebral sensorimotor cortex could be markedly suppressed or potentiated by the conditioning Gi stimulation. The results demonstrated that Gi-cerebellar pathways exists, with some fibers being serotonergic. Gi-cerebellar afferent fibers may have certain modulatory effects on PCs through synaptic and/or non-classical chemical synaptic transmission. The Gi-cerebellar afferent fiber projection may play important roles in some cerebellar functions, such as regulating myotonia and posture.

Polymorphic cDNAs encode for the methionine-rich storage protein from Manduca sexta

By cDNA cloning and sequencing we have shown that Manduca sexta larvae produce three very closely related methionine-rich storage proteins, MMR1, MMR2 and MMR3. Out of 2256 nucleotides in the coding region, the cDNAs differ by at most twenty-one bases and this leads to a single amino acid difference between MMR1 and MMR2, and between MMR2 and MMR3, whereas MMR1 and MMR3 differ by two amino acids. Using both distance and parsimony methods, similarities between the M. sexta and Bombyx mori methionine-rich and arylphorin storage proteins were examined. Homologous proteins from the two species tend to be more closely related than are the two classes of storage proteins in a single species.

Location of myocardial infarction and its surface cardioelectric representation. An experimental study

In order to explore the relationship between the different location of myocardial infarction (MI) and reflections of pathognomonic Q potentials on the body surface, an experimental study was carried out in 28 dogs. The results were (1) in 27 of a total 28 dogs after MI formation, abnormal Q maps appeared; (2) right ventricular MI, posterior wall MI and some lateral and apical MI are prone to miss abnormal Q potentials in the conventional 12-lead ECG; and (3) the MI location and relative size diagnosed through electrocardiographic peak mapping (EPM) correlated to acute MI in dog ventricles fairly well. The unexpected Q map reflections of right ventricular MI provide new clues for improving our automatic diagnosis system after further correlative studies. The results strongly support the feasibility of the application of EPM in clinical diagnosis.

Effects of gender and age on thixotropic properties of whole blood from healthy adult subjects

The thixotropic parameters of whole blood from 314 healthy subjects (154 women, 160 men) were measured with our modified method by Low shear 30 Rheometer and calculated according Huang's equation. This communication offered the reference range of thixotropic parameters from man and woman group. The results demonstrated that no significant differences existed in the plasma viscosity and fibrinogen between man and woman group. Man group had statistically higher values in HCT, yield stress (tau 0), Newtonian contribution of viscosity (mu), non-Newtonian contribution of viscosity (eta s--mu), apparent viscosity at 2.37 sec-1 (eta s), the equilibrium value of the structural parameter (A) and apparent kinetic rate constant of rouleaux breakdown (ARC) than those in woman group. The man and woman groups could be separately divided into five subgroups in terms of age. It was found that the levels of fibrinogen and plasma viscosity had a tendency of increasing with aging. In the old subgroup (greater than 60 years) of men and women HCT, tau v, mu, eta s, (eta s--mu) and A had significant lower values than those in young and middle-age subgroups. However, it was very interested that there were differences of ARC versus age between man group and woman group, i.e. ARC in the man subgroup II, IV had lower and the woman subgroup II, III, IV had higher values than their respective older subgroup did.

[Pharmacokinetics of sodium selenite in human body at different levels of selenium]

Twelve health adults (6 M, 6 F) from the endemic area of Keshan disease and Kaschin-Beck's disease and 12 adults from nonaffected area were administered a single oral dose of 4 mg sodium selenite. Selenium in whole blood was determined by fluorescence spectrometry. Their basic levels of blood selenium were 64 +/- 16 and 220 +/- 20 ng.ml-1, respectively. The concentration-time data were treated by a computer with program 3P87, which revealed 2-compartment models with first order absorption and lag time. The pharmacokinetic parameters of low-Se group were T1/2g 1.8 +/- 0.6h, T1/2g 72 +/- 18 h, T1/2ka 3.2 +/- 1.8h, AUC 3,100 +/- 500 ng.h.ml-1, CL 32 +/- 7 ml.kg-1.h-1, Vc 1.45 +/- 0.19 L.kg-1, Tp 6.1 +/- 2.0 h, Cp 36 +/- 4 ng.ml-1, AUMC (S1) 130 +/- 26, VRT 174 +/- 17 h, MRT 55 +/- 4 h, and of normal-Se group were T1/2 3.4 +/- 0.7h, T1/2g 14 +/- 3 h. T1/2ka 2.3 +/- 0.6, AUC 1,420 +/- 210 ng.h.ml-1, Cl 57 +/- 7 ml.kg-1. h-1, Vc 0.54 +/- 0.09 L.kg-1, Tp 4.6 +/- 0.9h, Cp 75 +/- 5 ng.ml-1, AUMC (S1) 25 +/- 5, VRT 16 +/- 3 h, MRT 16.1 +/- 1.5 h.

Simultaneous pancreaticoduodenal and renal transplantation in one diabetic patient with end-stage renal disease

The diabetic patient with renal failure underwent simultaneous pancreaticoduodenal and renal transplantation. Duodeno-cystostomy was performed for the drainage of exocrine secretion. Immediately after grafting, the pancreatic and the renal graft regained normal function, and there was no operative complication whatever. The patient had functioning pancreatic graft and became insulin-independent for more than 3 months, although two transplanted kidneys were rejected. Immunosuppression consisted of cyclosporine A, azathioprine and prednisone. Our results suggest that hemorrheological parameters may serve as early indicators of acute rejection and be used to estimate the efficacy of anti-rejection and anti-coagulation therapy.

Laparotomy ovum pick-up and ultrasonic transvaginal ovum retrieval in an IVF program

Different methods of ovum pick-up were used in an IVF program from January 1, 1988 to January 31, 1989. In the initial stage of the program, laparotomy ovum pick-up with surgical treatment of pelvic diseases resulted in two cases of clinical pregnancy in 1987 with full-term delivery of two healthy babies. Transvaginal ovum pick-up with a needle using an ultrasonic endovaginal transducer was started in late 1987. In 1988-1989 the transvaginal method was employed more frequently than laparotomy, and it has become a routine practice in the IVF program. The ultrasonic endovaginal approach seemed to give a low ovum recovery rate (70.99%), but the fertilization rate was high (85.10%, P less than 0.05), and the rate of embryo transfer was 89.33%. The average number of pre-embryo per transfer was 2.26. These figures were quite similar in the two groups. The ultrasonic transvaginal approach for egg retrieval was noninvasive, easily accepted by patients. We suggest that it can be done repeatedly on one patient to improve the cumulative pregnancy rate. However, the laparotomy for ovum pick-up has shown some special merits and is still indicated in some cases.

Participation of phosphoinositides in gastric mucosal protection by colloidal bismuth subcitrate against ethanol-induced injury

The mechanism of gastric mucosal protection by an antiulcer agent, colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS), against ethanol-induced injury was investigated using in vivo and in vitro systems. The experiments in vivo were conducted with groups of rats with and without indomethacin pretreatment, and the animals received either a dose of CBS (100 mg/kg) or a vehicle (saline), followed 30 min later by ethanol. In the in vitro studies, gastric mucosa segments were cultured in the presence of CBS, ethanol, or both. The results of in vivo experiments revealed that in the absence of CBS, ethanol caused extensive gastric hemorrhagic lesions which were significantly reduced following CBS pretreatment and this effect of CBS was not prevented by indomethacin. The data obtained with gastric mucosal culture established that in comparison to the controls, ethanol caused a 27% decrease in mucin synthesis, while mucin synthesis in the presence of CBS increased by 48%. The increase in mucin synthesis evoked by CBS was accompanied by the enhanced metabolism of mucosal phosphoinositides, as reflected by a decrease in PI (15%) and PIP2 (30%), and an increase in IP1 (26%) and IP3 (67%). In contrast, ethanol, which exhibited detrimental effect on mucin synthesis, caused a decrease in PIP (35%), IP2 (47%) and IP3 (38%), and an increase in PIP2 (80%), and IP1 (51%). However, when the mucosal culture was carried out in the presence of both CBS and ethanol, the detrimental changes evoked by ethanol on mucin synthesis were prevented, and the phosphoinositide and inositide phosphate distribution patterns were quite similar to those in the mucosa cultured in the presence of CBS only.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Pharmacokinetic study of sodium selenite in low-selenium rabbits]

Sodium selenite has been used for prevention and treatment of Keshan disease and Kaschin-Beck's disease. The efficacious dosage regimens of sodium selenite in low-Se human body have not been clear. A single iv or ig of sodium selenite 2.0 mg/kg was given to rabbits. Selenium in whole blood was determined fluorophotomerically. The concentration-time curve following a single iv of sodium selenite in rabbits was found to be of 3-compartment open model. The pharmacokinetic parameters were: T1/2 x 0.11 +/- 0.03 h, T1/2 alpha 6.8 +/- 2.8 h, T1/2 beta 215 +/- 35 h, Vc 0.50 +/- 0.07 L/kg, Cl 19 +/- 5 ml/(kg.h), AUC 146 +/- 26 mg.h/L. The concentration-time curve following a single ig of sodium selenite showed a pattern of 2-compartment open model. The parameters were: T1/2 kappa a 13 +/- 6 h, T1/2 alpha 3.6 +/- 1.9 h, T1/2 beta 338 +/- 107 h, Vc 2.9 +/- 1.3 L/kg, AUC 78 +/- 29 mg.h/L, Cl 27 +/- 11 ml/(kg.h). In low-Se rabbits the distribution in body was more rapid and more extensive, and the bioavailability was higher than that in normal-Se rabbits. Therefore, attention should be paid to the different levels of selenium during therapy with sodium selenite.

New technique for treating pseudocyst of the auricle

Although pseudocyst of the auricle is a common disease in China, its cause and mechanism are still not clear. Several methods of treatment have been advocated: repeated aspirations combined with physiotherapy, and incision and drainage with contour pressure dressing, magnetotherapy etc. In recent years, a new technique with a drainage tube inserted into the pseudocyst using a guide needle has been used in our hospital in the treatment of this condition. We report 45 cases treated by this method, none of whom had the condition previously.

[Research on thixotropic parameters of whole blood from Chinese adult subjects]

This study measured the thixotropic parameters of whole blood from 314 healthy subjects (154 women, 160 men) with our modified method by Low Shear-30 Rheometer according to Huang's equation. We suggested the range of normal values of thixotropic parameters from man and woman group. The results demonstrated that no significant differences existed in the plasma viscosity (eta p) and fibrinogen between man and woman group. Man group had significantly higher values than those in woman group in hematocrit (HCT), yield stress (tau 0), Newtonian contribution of viscosity (mu), non-Newtonion contribution of viscosity (eta s-mu), apparent viscosity at 2.37s-1 (eta s), the equilibrium value of the structural parameter (A) and apparent kinetic rate constant of rouleaux breakdown (ARC). The man and woman groups could be separately divided into five subgroups on the basis of age. All parameters were compared with one another and treated statistically. We found that the levels of fibrinogen and eta p had an increasing trend with aging. In the old subgroup (greater than or equal to 60 years) of man and woman, HCT, tau 0, mu, eta s, (eta s-mu) and A had significantly lower values than those in young and middle age subgroups. However, it was very interesting that there were differences of ARC versus age between the man and woman groups, i.e., ARC in the man subgroup 3, 4 had lower values and in the woman subgroup 2, 3, 4 had higher values than their respective older subgroups did.

Clinical significance of hemorrheological parameters in patients with renal transplantation

Hemorrheological studies carried out on 14 recipients of cadaveric kidney transplant regularly before and after transplantation showed very significant differences in plasma viscosity in the period of stable function after successfully transplanted kidney, dialysis before transplantation, and renal rejection (P less than 0.001). Significant difference was observed in fibrinogen level in cases with stable normal function and rejection (P less than 0.05). Significant positive correlation was found between plasma viscosity and fibrinogen level in patients on dialysis as well as after transplantation. The results in this series showed that abnormal changes in hemorrheology respond to the development of rejection episode and deterioration of renal function in patients after receiving cadaveric renal allografts.

cDNA and gene sequence of Manduca sexta arylphorin, an aromatic amino acid-rich larval serum protein. Homology to arthropod hemocyanins

The serum (storage) proteins produced by insect larvae at the end of the feeding cycle are hexameric blood proteins with one or more type of subunits. The cDNA and gene structure of the aromatic amino acid-rich larval serum protein arylphorin from the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, has been determined. In M. sexta arylphorin there are two subunits alpha and beta, which have 686 and 687 amino acids, respectively, and whose amino acid sequences are 68% identical. The two genes, separated by 7.1 kilobases of chromosomal DNA, are transcribed in the same direction. Based on the alignment of the amino acid sequence, the rate of nucleotide substitution between the two coding regions predicts that the two genes diverged about 100 million years ago. Both genes contain 5 exons and the upstream region contains a sequence, TGATAAA, which is similar to a sequence found in all other storage protein genes for which information is available. When the National Biomedical Research Foundation protein sequence data base was searched, it was found that the arylphorin subunits showed significant similarity to the arthropod hemocyanins, which are hexameric oxygen-carrying proteins. Based on the alignment of the sequence of M. sexta arylphorin and the hemocyanin from the spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus), for which a 3.2 A structure has been determined, it was observed that the highest concentration of conserved residues were found in those regions of the sequence which are involved in subunit interactions in the hexameric protein. It is suggested that the insect storage proteins and the arthropod hemocyanins have evolved from a common ancestor.

Phosphorylation of highly purified growth hormone receptors by a growth hormone receptor-associated tyrosine kinase

We have shown previously that growth hormone (GH) promotes the phosphorylation of its receptor on tyrosyl residues (Foster, C. M., Shafer, J. A., Rozsa, F. W., Wang, X., Lewis, S. D., Renken, D. A., Natale, J. E., Schwartz, J., and Carter-Su, C. (1988) Biochemistry 27, 326-334). In the present study, we investigated the possibility that a tyrosine kinase is specifically associated with the GH receptor. GH-receptor complexes were first partially purified from GH-treated 3T3-F442A fibroblasts, a GH-responsive cell, by immunoprecipitation using anti-GH antiserum. 35S-Labeled proteins of Mr = 105,000-125,000 were observed in the immunoprecipitate from GH-treated cells labeled metabolically with 35S-amino-acids. These proteins were not observed in immunoprecipitates from cells not exposed to GH or when non-immune serum replaced the anti-GH antiserum, consistent with the proteins being GH receptors. GH receptors appeared to be phosphorylated, as evidenced by the presence of 32P-labeled bands, comigrating with the 105-125 kDa 35S-labeled proteins, in the immunoprecipitate of GH-treated cells labeled metabolically with [32P]Pi. When partially purified GH receptor preparation was incubated with [gamma-32P]ATP (7-15 microM) for 10 min at 30 degrees C in the presence of MnCl2, a protein of Mr = 121,000 was phosphorylated exclusively on tyrosyl residues. As expected for the GH receptor, this protein was not observed in immunoprecipitates when cells had not been treated with GH nor when non-immune serum replaced the anti-GH antiserum. GH-receptor complexes were also purified to near homogeneity by sequential immunoprecipitation with phosphotyrosyl-binding antibody followed by anti-GH antiserum. When cells were labeled metabolically with 35S-amino acids, the 35S label migrated almost exclusively as an Mr = 105,000-125,000 protein. This protein also incorporated 32P into tyrosyl residues when incubated in solution with [gamma-32P]ATP. These results show that highly purified GH receptor preparations undergo tyrosyl phosphorylation, suggesting that either the GH receptor itself is a tyrosine kinase or is tightly associated with a tyrosine kinase.

[The finite element analysis of the bicuspid and molar of mandible]

Recently, the finite element method has been adopted in the study of tooth structure as well as the stress distribution of dental prosthesis. In order to understand the loading state of the supporting tissues and the stress distribution of the teeth in various shapes under the pressure of loading, the author of this essay has applied the two-dimensional finite element method to the study of the stress distribution of the periodontal supporting tissues at the time when the second bicuspid and the second molar are vertically and obliquely loaded. Finally, the results of the quantitative analysis are obtained and a curve of the stress distribution of the teeth is also drawn up. The conclusion is as follows: 1. When the vertical loading is applied to the occlusal surface of the bicuspid and molar, the stress distribution of periodontal supporting tissues is uniform. 2. The stress concentration is on the marginal ridge and thedistal apex of bicuspid under the oblique loading. 3. When the oblique loading is applied to the occlusal surface of the molar, the stress concentration is only on the marginal ridge, and it is small.