A weak B antigen with serologic reactivity between B1 and B2 red blood cells found in a Chinese family

During a serologic study on red cell samples from individuals representing three generations of a Chinese family, an unusual pattern of reactivity was noted in a sample from a daughter of an A1B2 individual. The results of direct ABO grouping, titration, and adsorption studies demonstrated that the red blood cells (RBCs) from the proposita and two of the proposita's uncles (1) expressed more B antigen than group B2 RBCs but less than group B1 RBCs; (2) expressed the B1 antigen but at a lower level than group B1 RBCs; and (3) expressed more H antigen than B1 RBCs but slightly less than B2 RBCs. The saliva from the proposita contained soluble B and H antigens, and her serum contained a weak B-gene-specified transferase. Serologic reactivity of her RBCs was intermediate between that of B1 and B2, RBCs. That is similar to reactivity of Aint RBCs, which is intermediate between A, and A2 RBCs. The proposita may represent a Bint phenotype.

[Closed rupture of the cervical trachea]

Two patients with closed rupture of the cervical trachea secondary to blunt trauma, one secondary to neck injury and the other secondary to thoracic injury, were analysed with those reported else where (58). Signs and symptoms included subcutaneous emphysema, respiratory distress, hoarseness/dysphonia, dysphagia, hemoptysis and so on. We conclude that: (1) the diagnosis of blunt trauma of the cervical trachea requires a high index of suspicion, since this injury can easily be overlooked; (2) tracheostomy is the best means of airway control; (3) good long-term airway quality is best obtained by immediate repair of injuries.

[Potentiated polarized liquid therapy and heart emergency]

Kalium and Magnesium ions are important cations in human body, both of them take part in many processes of metabolism in coordination. Injection of Kalii L-aspartatis and Magnesii L-aspartatis added to polarized liquid (GIK-Glucose, Insulin, Kalii Chlorid) might potentiate its effect and reduce carbon dioxide and ammonia in blood. 72 patients with various heart emergencies and other critical diseases were treated with potentiated polarized liquid (GIKL) with remarkable efficacy. A preliminary study on its clinical use and mechanism was carried out.

[Interventional radiology guided regional infusion chemotherapy for pelvic malignancy]

Retention transcatheter in the deep branch of femoral artery introduced by the Seldinger technique combined with the original arterial infusion was used in patients with pelvic malignancy. Infusion of chemotherapy and/or arterial embolization under the guide of pelvic arteriography was given. No 4-7 preshaped radiopaque catheter was passed from the femoral artery deep branch to the lower abdominal aorta. By turning the catheter tip and moving it up and down under TV monitor, it can be slipped into the uterine artery and/or common hepatic artery which supply blood to the tumor mass. Ten patients, including 7 with persistent or recurrent tumors, 2 with liver metastasis and 1 with vaginal botryoidies were treated. The immediate results were satisfactory in most patients with relief of symptoms and partial reduction of tumor. No side effects or complications were noted.

Serological identification of HLA-B13 subtypes

A serological approach is used to confirm subtypes of HLA-B13 originally observed by one-dimensional isoelectric focusing (1D-IEF). Sixty anti-B13 alloantibody sera were screened against Chinese panel cells. Two clusters of sera showing distinct reactive patterns were identified. One is a shorter reactive pattern than the other. Using these serological reaction patterns, the B13 antigen can be divided into two subtypes, B13.1 and B13.2, in the Chinese population. These serological subtypes appear to correlate well with the 1D-IEF patterns of B13 subtypes. The serological subtyping is also in agreement with the differences in nucleotide sequence previously determined to exist in B13 antigen subtypes. Family studies show that both B13.1 and B13.2 segregate as HLA-B locus alleles. Gene frequencies for B13.1 and B13.2 were 0.0676 and 0.0612, respectively, in our study population of 337 southern Han Chinese.

[Morphine decreased the content of cyclic AMP in the rat spinal cord]

It has been reported that morphine or opiate-like substances (OLS) can affect the contents of cyclic AMP and/or cyclic GMP in mammalian brain, but very little is known whether similar effects also occur in spinal cord. Using RIA method, we showed that morphine significantly decreased the content of cyclic AMP in the rat spinal cord in vivo and in vitro and this effect could be completely blocked by naloxone, while the concentration of cyclic GMP in rat spinal cord is unchanged. In view of the present experiment it is suggested that the changes of cyclic AMP in the central nervous system may be partly mediated by the action of morphine.

[Treatment of breast proliferation disease with modified xiao yao san and er chen decoction]

The authors report the 3 months' treatment of 51 cases of breast proliferation disease with modified Xiao Yao San and Er Chen decoction, an effective rate being 96.1%. In each patient before and after treatment, saliva estradiol (SE2), saliva progesterone (SP), saliva testosterone (ST) and plasma prolactin (PRL) concentrations were monitored and breast molybdenum-target X-ray films were taken. The results showed that after treatment, SE2 concentrations declined very significantly (P less than 0.001); SP concentrations declined significantly (P less than 0.05); PRL concentrations declined very significantly (P less than 0.005), but ST concentrations did not change significantly. Breast molybdenum-target X-ray films showed absorption of proliferation masses in 21 cases. These indicated that the medicine could regulate endocrine system, perhaps through suppressing secretion of PRL, decreasing prolactin antagonist action to follicular stimulating hormone so as to restore follicle function, and could regulate pituitary-follicle axis and make the axis normal.

Actions of dipyridamole on endogenous and exogenous noradrenaline in the dog mesenteric vein

1. In the isolated mesenteric vein of the dog, dipyridamole inhibited both the excitatory junction potential (e.j.p.) and the slow depolarization evoked by perivascular nerve stimulation, to 60-70% of control, with no change in the postjunctional membrane potential. These inhibitory actions of dipyridamole were not modified by 8-phenyltheophylline or phentolamine, suggesting that the inhibition did not involve either the actions of endogenous adenosine or the prejunctional alpha-autoregulation mechanism. 2. Dipyridamole did not produce any detectable effects on either the facilitation process of the e.j.ps or the postjunctional membrane depolarization produced by exogenously applied noradrenaline (NA). 3. Dipyridamole reduced the outflow of both the NA and the 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DOPEG) evoked by perivascular nerve stimulation to below 10% of control, the effect being much greater than that of exogenously applied adenosine (to about 90% of the control). 4. Exogenously-added NA was degraded by incubation with a segment of the vein. Dipyridamole itself produced degradation of NA and accelerated the NA-induced degradation. By contrast, pyrogallol, but not pargyline or imipramine, prevented the NA-induced degradation. 5. It is suggested that dipyridamole degrades NA directly, and also indirectly through activation of catechol-O-methyl transferase, with no alteration of the activity of monoamine oxidase or of the uptake mechanisms of NA into nerve terminals.

The patterns of stress response in patients undergoing thyroid surgery under acupuncture anaesthesia in China

The patterns of catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline), peptide hormones (adrenocorticotropic hormone, antidiuretic hormone, beta-endorphin, growth hormone and prolactin), hydrocortisone (cortisol) and those of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM) and total and differential leucocyte counts in the peripheral blood were investigated during and for 6 days after thyroid surgery in 20 patients (F/M: 18/2) performed under acupuncture anaesthesia, supplemented by small doses of pethidine (mean: 45.0 mg, s.d. 8.9). Throughout surgery the patients remained conscious. During surgery a significant increase in the level of catecholamines and the above-mentioned circulating hormones and a decrease of immunoglobulins were observed, whereas the leucocyte and differential counts demonstrated leucocytosis due to lymphocytosis, a decreased percentage of eosinophils and a remarkably reduced percentage of neutrophils. In the postoperative phase, levels of noradrenaline and beta-endorphin remained elevated, whereas the other circulating hormones gradually returned to normal values. Immunoglobulin levels and eosinophil counts returned to the preinduction values within 24 h, and those of neutrophil and lymphocyte counts within 2 days. Changes in number of monocytes and basophils could not be detected peri- and postoperatively.

Acupuncture anaesthesia. Observations on its use for removal of thyroid adenomata and influence on recovery and morbidity in a Chinese hospital

Acupuncture anaesthesia, supplemented by small doses of pethidine, was evaluated in 20 patients who had surgery for removal of a thyroid adenoma. There were significant increases in mean arterial pressure and respiratory rate during surgery, but no significant change in heart rate. The mean dose of pethidine given during surgery was 45 mg (SD 8.9). Postoperative recovery was rapid and complication free. Acupuncture anaesthesia did not provide complete analgesia, but was safe and preferable to general anaesthesia where there was a shortage of facilities.

[Experiences of 28 finger reconstructions with revascularized free second toe transplantation]

Since 1979, 30 fingers of 28 cases defect were reconstructed with revascularized free second toe transplantation. Of these 30 fingers, 22 thumbs, 4 index, 3 middle and 1 ring fingers were reconstructed. Twenty-nine fingers in 27 cases succeeded with satisfactory results and 1 finger in 1 case failed. In this paper, experiences of revascularized free second toe transplantation are presented.

Inhibitory actions of adenosine differ between ear and mesenteric arteries in the rabbit

In isolated ear and mesenteric arteries of rabbit, adenosine inhibited nerve-mediated contractions to a similar extent. However, the amplitude of the excitatory junction potentials evoked by perivascular nerve stimulation was increased by adenosine in the ear artery and decreased in the mesenteric artery. Outflows of noradrenaline and its metabolite, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol, evoked by perivascular nerve stimulation were increased and decreased by adenosine in the ear and mesenteric arteries, respectively. Adenosine hyperpolarized the smooth muscle cells, by increasing potassium conductance of the membrane, with no relation to the endothelial cells. The hyperpolarizing action of adenosine was stronger in the ear artery than in the mesenteric artery. The inhibition of the nerve-mediated contraction by adenosine may be mainly due to postjunctional events in the ear artery and prejunctional events in the mesenteric artery.

[Free hallux nail flap for the reconstruction of the thumb or index finger. Report of 15 cases]

From January 1986 to June 1987, 13 cases of thumbs and 2 index fingers defects were reconstructed by free hallux nail flaps. All cases got satisfactory results both cosmetically and functionally. The authors suggest that a rib graft is superior to an iliac-bone graft. In this paper, operative technic of free hallux nail flap transplantation is discussed and two cases are reported.

Bunazosin, an alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocker, differentially releases co-transmitters in dog mesenteric vessels

The effects of bunazosin on the electrical and mechanical responses of smooth muscle cells elicited by exogenously applied noradrenaline (NA) and by perivascular nerve stimulation were studied in the isolated mesenteric artery and vein of the dog. NA (above 10(-7) M in the artery and above 3 X 10(-8) M in the vein) depolarized the membrane. Perivascular nerve stimulation evoked an excitatory junction potential (e.j.p.) and slow depolarization in both vessels. Bunazosin and prazosin inhibited the NA-induced depolarization and slow depolarization in the artery but not in the vein. The NA actions in the vein were inhibited by yohimbine. Bunazosin (above 10(-6) M) increased the amplitude of the e.j.p. but decreased the outflow of NA during nerve stimulation. The amplitude and conduction velocity of the compound action potential of perivascular nerves were inhibited by higher concentrations of bunazosin (above 10(-5) M). The results provide evidence that bunazosin has selective inhibitory actions at alpha 1-adrenoceptors. This drug exerted differential effects on the release of co-transmitters which generate the e.j.p. and the slow depolarization, as bunazosin increased the former and decreased the latter. This suggests that e.j.p. is generated by a substance other than NA.

[Free and island skin flaps and myocutaneous flaps--report of 86 cases]

From January 1979 to October 1986, 86 cases of soft tissue defect were repaired by skin and musculocutaneous flaps. Among them, 43 instances were free flaps and 43 instances were island flaps. Of these 86 flaps, 79 survived completely, 2 partially, and 5 failed. The sizes of the flaps ranged from 6 x 7 cm to 32 x 10 cm. In this paper, indication of operation and selection of the flaps were discussed.

A "new" HLA-C specificity, CSH-2, restricted to Oriental populations

The high frequency of C-locus blank alleles in different races suggests the existence of an undetected antigen. We have identified a new C-locus antigen, tentatively named CSH-2, which is present in Oriental populations, but is apparently not present in Caucasoid, or Black populations. This new specificity was defined by a single strong monospecific antiserum, named ZHA114, which was obtained by planned immunization.