Down-regulation of IL-12, not a shift from a T helper-1 to a T helper-2 phenotype, is responsible for impaired IFN-gamma production in mammary tumor-bearing mice

Altered cytokine production has been implicated in the down-regulation of cell-mediated immunity in mice bearing large mammary tumors. In several diseases, an imbalance between helper T lymphocytes Th1 and Th2 and their cytokines has been suggested as a contributing factor. In this study, although IFN-gamma from splenic T cells of D1-DMBA-3 mammary tumor-bearing mice was greatly diminished, other cytokine levels remained unchanged, indicating no clear shift between the Th1, Th2, or Th3 phenotypes. The IFN-gamma levels can be restored in vitro by addition of rIL-12 to cultured splenocytes from tumor bearers. Furthermore, IL-12 production is greatly down-regulated in macrophages from tumor-bearing mice as detected by ELISA, and this correlates with diminished expression of IL-12 p40 chain RNA. The mammary tumor used in our studies produces several factors, including granulocyte macrophage-CSF, PGE2, and phosphatidyl serine, that can affect the immune system. Addition of these tumor-derived factors in vitro to macrophages from normal mice resulted in decreased levels of IL-12 protein in cultures treated with PGE2 or phosphatidyl serine. These results indicate that the down-regulation of T cell-produced IFN-gamma in this tumor model is the result of decreased IL-12 production caused by tumor-derived factors and not a shift from the Th1 to the Th2 phenotype.

[A strain of A/PR/8/34 (H1N1)-like virus isolated from men]

An influenza virus was isolated in May, 1991 from a child with acute respiratory disease. The identification results with serologic method have revealed that the isolate was A/PR/8/34 (H1N1)-like virus. The analyses of nucleotide sequences in HA1 domain showed that there were 12 different positions on nucleotide sequences between the isolate and the A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) virus. These differences induced substitutions of 4 amino acids in HA1 protein molecule of isolate as compared with that of A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) virus. The oligonucleotide analyses of viral genome revealed that there were 11 different points between isolate and A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) virus, e. g. 2 deleted and 9 inserted in genome of isolate as compared with A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) strain. Therefore, the isolate possibly derived from A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) virus by laboratory contamination could be ruled out. However, where did A/Guangdong/6/91 (H1N1) virus come from? This question will be settled by further study.

[Consensus of experts on the medical risk prevention for the patients with cardiovascular diseases during dental treatment (2022 edition)]

With the aging process of population in the society, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in China is increasing continuously and the number of dental patients with CVD is increasing gradually too. Due to the lack of guidelines for dental patients with CVD in our country, how to implement standardized preoperative evaluation and perioperative risk prevention remains a problem to be solved for dentists at present. The present expert consensus was reached by combining the clinical experiences of the expert group of the Fifth General Dentistry Special Committee, Chinese Stomatological Association and respiratory and cardiology experts in diagnosis and treatment for CVD patients, and by systematically summarizing the relevant international guidelines and literature regarding the relationship between CVD and oral diseases and the diagnosis and treatment of dental patients with heart failure, hypertension and antithrombotic therapy. The consensus aims to provide, for the dental clinicians, the criteria on diagnosis and treatment of CVD in dental patients in China so as to reduce the risk and complications, and finally to improve the treatment levels of dental patients with CVD in China.

[Visceral leishmaniasis in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region during the COVID-19 pandemic: a case report]

OBJECTIVE

To perform an epidemiological investigation on a case of visceral leishmaniasis reported from Shule County, Kashi Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in 2021, so as to provide insights into differential diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

The epidemiological history of this case was collected, and the case was diagnosed for Leishmania infection with the immunochromatographic (rK39) strip test, bone marrow smear microscopy and PCR assay.

RESULTS

The patient had typical clinical symptoms of leishmaniasis, including irregular fever, hepatosplenomeg- aly, low serum albumin and elevated globulin. Bone marrow smear microscopy identified L. donovani amastigotes, and both rK39 strip test and PCR assay were positive, while the case was tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 was therefore excluded and visceral leishmaniasis was diagnosed. Standard full-dose treatment with sodium stibogluconate was given, and no Leishmania was found on blood smears during the reexamination. No recurrence was found during the followup after discharge for hospital.

CONCLUSIONS

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is recommended to increase the perception of differential diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis among first-contact doctors, and reinforce the capability of differential diagnosis and health education of visceral leishmaniasis among medical and healthcare institutions at all levels, to prevent missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis.

Effects of sodium ferrous chlorophyll treatment on anemia of hemodialysis patients and relevant biochemical parameters

This study explores the effects of sodium ferrous chlorophyll treatment on the anemia of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, as well as the relevant biochemical parameters. We selected 72 patients who had received regular MHD treatment two or three times a week for more than 3 months in the Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Zhengzhou City of Henan Province from March 2014 to March 2016. They were equally divided into a treatment group and a control group. Haemoglobin (HB) and hematocrit (HCT) of the treatment group increased significantly after treatment (p < 0.01), but less in the control group (p < 0.05); Also serum ferritin (SF) and transferrin saturation (TAST) of the treatment group increased significantly after treatment (p < 0.01); SF of the control group also increased significantly (p < 0.01) and TAST of the control group increased (p < 0.05) but less than in the treatment group. No obvious changes of serum creatinine (SCR), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), C-reactive protein (CRP) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were found in either groups after treatment (p>0.05). Albumin (ALB) dosage of the treatment group increased after treatment (p < 0.05) while hemopoietin (EPO) decreased significantly (p < 0.01). ALB and EPO of the control group had no obvious changes after treatment (p>0.05). ALB level of the treatment group increased more significantly than in the control group (p < 0.05), while EPO dosage decreased more significantly than in the control group (p <0.05). Therefore, the combination of conventional western medicine and sodium ferrous chlorophyll can effectively improve anemia conditions of MHD patients and their quality of life.

von Willebrand Factor and Angiopoietin-2 are Sensitive Biomarkers of Pulsatility in Continuous-Flow Ventricular Assist Device Patients

Nonsurgical bleeding occurs in a significant proportion of patients implanted with continuous-flow ventricular assist devices (CF-VADs) and is associated with nonphysiologic flow with diminished pulsatility. An in vitro vascular pulse perfusion model seeded with adult human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) was used to identify biomarkers sensitive to changes in pulsatility. Diminished pulsatility resulted in an ~45% decrease in von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels from 9.80 to 5.32 ng/ml (n = 5, p < 0.05) and a threefold increase in angiopoietin-2 (ANGPT-2) levels from 775.29 to 2471.93 pg/ml (n = 5, p < 0.05) in cultured HAECs. These changes are in agreement with evaluation of patient blood samples obtained pre-CF-VAD implant and 30-day postimplant: a decrease in plasma vWF level by 50% from ~45.59 to ~22.49 μg/ml (n = 15, p < 0.01) and a 64% increase in plasma ANGPT-2 level from 7,073 to 11,615 pg/ml (n = 8, p < 0.05). This study identified vWF and ANGPT-2 as highly sensitive to changes in pulsatility, in addition to interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, and tumor necrosis-α (TNF-α). These biomarkers may help determine the optimal level of pulsatility and help identify patients at high risk of nonsurgical bleeding.

[Effects of chronoacupuncture na ja fa on gastric acid secretion, plasma gastrin and prostaglandin E1 in patients with peptic ulcer]

Observations on gastric acid secretion, plasma gastrin and prostaglandin E1 in patients with peptic ulcer disease were made after giving acupuncture with Na Ja Fa. The relationship between the chosen points and their effects was also discussed so as to provide more evidence to evaluate and practice the traditional chronoacupuncture more accurately. The results of this experiment were: (1) The gastric acid output of patients with peptic ulcer disease was decreased, while the plasma gastrin and prostaglandin E1 were increased after puncturing with Na Ja Fa. This reveals that the decrease of acid output was not caused by the change of plasma gastrin, however the plasma prostaglandin E1 may be involved in this process. (2) By using points on Stomach and Spleen meridians, there was a better inhibiting effect in acid output than treating the points of other meridians. This showed that using chronoacupuncture should include choosing points according to differentiation and only by laying stress on the relative specialization of the actions of these points one could expect improvement in efficiency. (3) There were no obvious differences between the standard opening points and the group of points which changed to opening points by Dr Shan Yu Tang. This proves that these two groups of points do have some similar functions and are both effective for clinical use.

[Application of ultrasound biomicroscopy in diagnosis of anterior segment vitreoretinal disorders]

PURPOSE

To investigate the diagnostic value of ultrasound biomicroscopy(UBM) in anterior segment vitreoretinal disorders(ASVD).

METHODS

60 eyes of 58 sequential patients were examined with UBM. The ultrasound biomicroscopic images were compared with the results of clinic examination, B-scan ultrasonography and the finding during surgery to evaluate the reliability of UBM for ASVD.

RESULTS

UBM allows structural details of the conjunctiva, rectus muscle, sclera, uvea, retina and vitreous to be visualized at microscopic resolution in living eye. The area of UBM may cover from cornea to vitreous base, partially to the equator of eye. A variety of the changes of ASVD were imaged in 60 eyes, including retinal detachment in 43 eyes, retinal circumferential contraction in 29 eyes, retinal anterior displacement in 24 eyes, vitreous opacities or fibrosis in 57 eyes, ciliary orchoroidal detachment in 26 eyes, ciliary nonpigmented epithelial detachment in 6 eyes, proliferative tissue at the sclerotomy site in 9 eyes, retinal neoplasm in 2 eyes, ciliary cyst in 6 eyes, proliferation of peripheral silicone oil in 8 eyes, silicone oil emulsification in 7 eyes and vitreous foreign body in 2 eyes, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our studies showed the feasibility of UBM for ASVD not visible by current techniques UBM can be used for the diagnosis, differential diagnosis and the instructive treatments of ASVD.

Detection of human herpesvirus 6(HHV-6) DNA in salivary glands by the polymerase chain reaction

To assess the presence of HHV-6-Specific DNA in human salivary glands, eighteen specimens of salivary gland tissue were investigated using the polymerase chain reaction. Eight of nine parotid glands, five of seven submandibular glands and one of two sublingual glands were found to have amplification of the HHV-6-specific sequence. The findings suggest that salivary gland tissue is one of the potential sites for HHV-6 persistence following primary infection and that saliva is a vehicle for transmission of the virus.

[Ultrasound biomicroscopic dark room provocative test]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the clinical application of ultrasound biomicroscopic (UBM) dark room provocative test and traditional one in screening primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG).

METHOD

22 eyes (22 cases) with PACG in prodromal stage and 30 eyes (15 cases) with deep anterior chamber and wide angle of 15 normal persons were observed in this trial. Traditional dark room provocative test and UBM dark room provocative test were performed on all the 52 eyes at the same day time on separate days. With different positive diagnostic criteria, the sensitivity of the two methods was compared by using chi-square analysis.

RESULTS

After staying in dark room for 2 hours, in PACG group, the intraocular pressure (IOP) in 10 of 22 eyes raised more than 1.07 kPa (1 kPa = 7.5 mmHg), and in 12 eyes less than 1.07 kPa or had no changes; appositional angle closure was found by Goldmann gonioscopy in 8 eyes; 3 eyes in two quadrants, 5 eyes in more than two quadrants; the appositional angle closure was found by ultrasound biomicroscopy in 15 eyes; 3 eyes in one quadrant, 5 eyes in two quadrants, 7 eyes in more than two quadrants. In the control group, IOP raised more than 1.07 kPa in 3 eyes. There was no appositional angle closure found in the control group. With the appositional angle closure as a positive diagnostic criterion, the sensitivity of the traditional test and UBM dark room test was 31.8% and 68.2%, respectively. With statistic chi-square test, there is a statistically significant difference between the two methods (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The sensitivity of UBM dark room provocative test is higher than that of the traditional one. The specificity of both methods is 100%. UBM dark room provocative test elevates the sensitivity and specificity of traditional dark room test, and reduces the false negative or positive rate in screening PACG, that is helpful to its accurate diagnosis.

[Content determination of baicalin by ultraviolet second order derivative spectra]

By the method of UV second order derivative spectra, baicalin in contents in the Lanqin Oral Liquid were determined. Able to eliminate the influence of other constituents, this method is simple, rapid, sensitive and accurate.

[The relationship between smoking and the incidence of COPD]

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between smoking index and the incidence of COPD to persuade smokers quit smoking.

METHODS

COPD was diagnosed based on family inquiring, questionnaire and pulmonary function test. The smoking index was calculated by the average cigarettes a day times the years of smoking.

RESULTS

822 cases(account for 24.6% of investigated subjects) of COPD due to smoking were identified, and 624 cases were found (account for 40.4% of investegated subjects) to have a history of both smoking and chronic airway inflammation. The higher the smoking index, the higher the incidence of COPD (above 40%), and the more severe their lung function imparement. The smoking was 71.6% of the cause in COPD patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of COPD associated with smoking is higher in China than that in the Western countries. The incidence of COPD in population with long smoking history is not invariable, while it is gradually rising with increasing smoking index.

[Vertical distribution and quantitative dynamics of dominant functional groups of arthropod community in rice fields and estimation of natural enemy effects]

The study showed that Lycosid (wolf spider) mainly distributed in the basal part of rice plants, not as wide as we know in past. Tetragnathid did not limited in the upper part of plants, but might translate to middle or lower part when affected by insecticide. The relationship between the vertical distributions of top and basal species was not significant. Besides the amount of natural enemies, the spatial distribution characteristics of natural enemies and brownplanthopper, and the proportion of brownplanthopper to total preys of natural enemies were the factors affecting the role of natural enemies on the population dynamics of brownplanthopper in rice fields. A model to evaluate the effect of natural enemies to brownplanthopper was put forward, which included the message of quantitative dynamics, spatial distribution and feeding characteristics of natural enemies, brownplanthopper and neutral insects.

[A cost-benefit evaluation of neonatal screening for phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism]

OBJECTIVE

In order to make the best use of health care resources, to achieve the maximal social and economic benefits and to lay a foundation for popularizing neonatal screening for phenylketonuria (PKU) and congenital hypothyroidism (CH), a cost-benefit analysis of the screening program was conducted.

METHODS

Cost for and benefit gained from screening were calculated according to the average incidence of two diseases recommended by the Ministry of Health, mean charge for neonatal screening, sampling extraction of medical history and data published in national economic statistics.

RESULTS

The cost of neonatal screening, treatment for PKU with low phenylalanine milk powder and follow up, the total add up to 128 793 Yuan However the direct and indirect financial benefits is 481 263 Yuan, ratio of cost to benefit was 1:3.7. The cost of neonatal screening for CH is 129 175 Yuan. However the financial benefits including the money saved in treatment, nursing care, special education and the loss of income avoided is 468 470 Yuan, ratio of cost to benefit was 1:3.6.

CONCLUSION

Neonatal screening for PKU and CH in this country reflects a better economic and social benefit and merits further popularization.

Remote therapeutic effect of early nerve transposition in treatment of obstetrical brachial plexus palsy

OBJECTIVE

To report a method and remote therapeutic effect of early nerve transposition in treatment of obstetrical brachial plexus palsy.

METHODS

From May 1995 to August 1996, 12 patients who had no recovery of biceps 3 months after birth were treated with nerve transposition. Eight had neuroma at the upper trunk and 4 had rupture or avulsion of the upper trunk. Mallet test was used to evaluate the results.

RESULTS

The follow-up of 40-52 months showed that excellent and good recovery in functions was found in 75% of the patients and the excellent rate of phrenic nerve and accessory nerve transposition was 83.3% and 6 6.7% respectively. A complete recovery in shoulder and elbow joint function was in 3 patients and Mallet IV was in 6 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Satisfactory outcome can be obtained by using early nerve transposition in treating obstetrical brachial plexus.