[Clinical study of pulmonary encephalopathy with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical effectiveness of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine (TCM-WM) on pulmonary encephalopathy.

METHODS

Eight three patients of pulmonary encephalopathy were allocated randomly into the TCM-WM group and the control group. The therapeutic method for the control group including continuous low flow oxygen intake with mechanical ventilation available when necessary, antiasthmatics and expectorants improve ventilation, sufficient and combined intravenous infusion of antibiotics, and prescription of diuretics for dehydration under the therapeutic principle of mild, small dosage, combined and intermittent in use. For the TCM-WM group, besides above-mentioned medication, Chinese medicine of clear up the Heat and toxin, tranquilizing, restore consciousness and induce resuscitation, bactericiding and expelling their toxin. The anti-pulmonary-encephalopathy injection was given as soon as possible.

RESULTS

The total effective rate of the TCM-WM group reached 83.0% and was higher than that of the control group (63.9%) significantly (P < 0.05). Time for restoring consciousness in the former was also shorter than that of the latter significantly (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

This study provided both method and experience for the treatment of pulmonary encephalopathy with TCM-WM.

Experimental study of lymph node auto-transplantation in rats

OBJECTIVE

To observe the restoration of structure and function of auto-transplanted lymph nodes.

METHODS

Inguinal lymph nodes in Spregue-Dawley (SD) rats were auto-transplanted by free implantation, or with an intact vascular pedicle, or by free transplantation with microvascular anastomosis, to the popliteal fossa where lymph nodes were removed. The observation methods included emission computerized tomographic (ECT) scanning, staining of China ink and methylthionine chloride to observe the histological changes.

RESULTS

After four weeks, these vascularized nodes showed normal histological appearances and spontaneously reestablished afferent and efferent lymphatic reconnection with the surrounding lymphatic vessels. ECT lymphoscintigraphy with 99mTc-Dx showed that vascularized lymph nodes had restored their normal function.

CONCLUSION

Vascularized lymph node transplantation is a useful method for draining extremity lymph edema.

Accelerated recovery of irradiation-induced bone marrow depression by fibroblast-mediated interleukin 6 gene therapy in combination with bone marrow transplantation in mice

BACKGROUND

Both fibroblast-mediated cytokine gene therapy and bone marrow transplantation (BMT) have proven to be efficient protocols for the recovery of bone marrow depression. In this report, the effects of fibroblast-mediated interleukin (IL)-6 gene therapy, in combination with BMT, on the recovery of irradiation-induced bone marrow depression were investigated.

METHODS

NIH3T3 fibroblast cells engineered to secrete IL-6 (NIH3T3-IL-6) or NIH3T3 cells transduced with the neomycin gene (NIH3T3-Neo), in combination with 10(7), 10(6), or 10(5) syngeneic bone marrow cells, were implanted into irradiated mice.

RESULTS

The platelets and white blood cells in the peripheral blood of the irradiated mice increased greatly 12 days after implantation of NIH3T3-IL-6 cells and BMT, the white blood cell counts were restored to a normal level 32 days after the combined therapy, and the platelet number was obviously higher than that in mice implanted with NIH3T3-Neo and BMT. Twenty and 25 days after the combined therapy, the mice showed accelerated recovery of colony-forming unit (CFU)-granulocyte/macrophages and CFU-megakaryocytes when compared with the mice implanted with NIH3T3-Neo cells and BMT. Ten days after lethal irradiation with gamma rays, the spleens formed more CFU-spleen in mice implanted with NIH3T3-IL-6 cells and BMT than in mice injected with phosphate-buffered saline or NIH3T3-Neo cells. Combined therapy with NIH3T3-IL-6 cell implantation and BMT delayed the survival period of the hematopoietic-depressed mice significantly when compared with therapy with NIH3T3-Neo cell implantation and BMT.

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrated that the combined therapy of fibroblast-mediated IL-6 gene therapy and BMT could significantly promote the recovery of irradiation-induced hematopoietic depression.

[Math-model of efficient cultivation of Angelica sinensis]

Using two-time general rotation-constitution design, the math-mdele has been founded about Angelica sinensis prodution efficiency and quantity of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to use by doing experiments in many different spots and production demonstration for testing and verifying. Accordin to the modle, computer is used to simulate the better, through which people can get fresh Chinese angelica over 500 Kg per mu and also net income over 500 yuan per mu. It shows that this is the best combination. 95% density riliability for this plan is 6860-7600 plants, pure nitrogen 18.75-22.2 Kg, P2O5 9.1-11.1 Kg and K2O 4.46-5.37 Kg One mu. Proportion for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium is 1:0.49:0.24.

[Effect of 764-3 on ventricular collagen deposition in pulmonary hypertension induced by chronic hypoxia and monocrotaline in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of 764-3 on ventricular collagen deposition in pulmonary hypertension induced by chronic hypoxia or monocrotaline (MCT) in rats.

METHODS

Wistar rats were divided into 10 groups. The hypobaric hypoxia group received 764-3 20 mg/kg once daily subcutaneously and the MCT group treated with 764-3 40 mg/kg once daily. The hemodynamic and biochemical parameters were measured.

RESULTS

At the time of 2 weeks and 4 weeks after treated with hypoxia or MCT, the pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) of rats raised significantly and the right ventricular collagen content (RVCC) increased markedly. 764-3 could reduce the raised PAP induced either by hypoxia or MCT. It could lower the elevated RVCC of hypobaric hypoxia group at 2 weeks from 76.3 +/- 13.3 to 59.4 +/- 11.4 (P < 0.01), and the RVCC of MCT group lowered from 293.4 +/- 73.9 to 210.1 +/- 37.6(P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

764-3 could partially prevent right ventricular collagen deposition induced by hypoxia and has therapeutic effect on that induced by MCT.

First trimester pregnancy loss associated with varicella zoster virus infection: histological definition of a case

Pathological demonstration of varicella infection in first trimester aborted tissue is reported. A 24-year-old primigravida manifested chickenpox infection about 38 days after her last menstrual period or at 24 days age of the embryo. The conceptus survived another 4 to 5 weeks. The macerated embryo and placental tissue revealed nuclear changes consistent with varicella infection. Immunohistochemical stains and electron microscopy were confirmatory.

The determinative role of intraoperative echo in tricuspid valvuloplasty

A transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was used in monitoring the operation of tricuspid valvuloplasty. Nine patients with rheumatic heart disease were studied. The results showed that intraoperative TEE was important on the improving method of tricuspid annuloplasty, it help to determine surgical procedure, control annulus-reducing procedure and assess the result immediately after operation. The results suggested that intraoperative TEE can be widely used in valvuloplasty in future.

[A three-month follow-up study of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy for myopia]

In order to evaluate the efficacy of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in the treatment of myopia, we summed up and analysed the 3-month follow-up data on 145 cases treated in our hospital. Prior to PRK, refractive dioptal was -1.5 to -11.5; visual acuity was less than 0.1 in 137 cases (94%) and less than 0.5 in 8 cases(6%). One month after operation, the mean refractive dioptal was +0.98 +/- 0.88; visual acuity increased to > or = 1.0 in 95 cases (66%) and to > or = 0.5 in 142 cases(98%). Three months after operation, the mean refractive dioptal was -0.13 +/- 1.09; visual acuity increased to > or = 1.0 in 104 cases(72%) and to > or = 0.5 in 135 cases(93%). There was no severe complication noted in all cases. The results demonstrate that PRK is and effective, safe and predictable treatment for myopia.

[Study on standard of patch test for cosmetic allergens]

39 allergens, chemical ingredients commonly used in cosmetics in China, were tested. The safe concentration of allergens was determined in experiments on animals. On the basis of the above results and referring to the literature, the concentration of allergens used in patch test for human was designed and the patch test was carried out on 10 volunteers by routine method. Finally the concentration which gave no reaction in all 10 volunteers was verified in patients with eczema or contact dermatitis. The rate of positive reactions for each allergen was raged from 0 to 12% with an average 3.4%, According to the results of three above mentioned experiments the series of allergen standards for patch test was established. It is used as an appendix to the document for diagnostic criteria and principles of management of consmetic diseases.

Cutaneous malignant melanoma in the young

Between the years 1967 and 1993, 3246 patients were diagnosed with malignant melanoma at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol. This paper reports 47 patients, 21 years of age or under, including 10 preadolescent cases under 14 years of age. It represents a further follow-up of a cohort originally published from this centre in 1986 in addition to 18 new cases. Most (89%) of the lesions occurred on the trunk and extremities, with females showing a predominance of lesions on the lower limbs. 83% of the melanomas were of the superficial spreading type: 72% invaded to Clark level III and IV. Thickness ranged from 0.29 mm to 50.00 mm (median 1.20 mm). Ulceration was present in 17% of cases and 32% of melanomas arose within a pre-existing small congenital melanocytic naevus. Overall 5-year survival was 81%, with a mean follow-up of 8.5 years. Ulceration and tumour thickness of greater than 1.5 mm were associated with a poor prognosis.

Early occurrence and prognostic significance of p53 alteration in primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube

The pathogenesis of primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube (PCFT) is poorly understood. Tumor suppressor p53 gene alterations are common in human malignancies, but their role in the tumorigenesis and survival of PCFT is undefined. The objectives of this study were to define the occurrence and prognostic role of p53 alteration in PCFT and to examine the efficiency of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in detecting p53 alteration in PCFT. Fifty-two PCFT and 10 normal fallopian tubes were examined for p53 alteration by IHC and polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to derive the survival function, while the log-rank test was used to compare curves for two or more groups. Other patients' characteristics were analyzed by two-tailed Fisher's exact tests. IHC correlated well with PCR-SSCP with 100% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity for detecting p53 alteration in this study. Thirty-one of 52 (57%) PCFT showed p53 alteration. Alteration of p53 occurred in all stages of PCFT with a similar incidence in carcinoma in situ and late-stage disease. Alteration of p53 was related to tumor histologic type. Significant survival difference was noted between advanced and early clinical stages but no such difference was identified among different tumor grades. Compared to the p53-nonaltered group, the presence of p53 alteration in PCFT was related to significantly decreased patient survival (RR = 6.8, 95% CI = 2.9-16.2) in multivariate analysis. In the subgroup of patients with residual tumor after surgery, those with p53-altered tumors had a significantly decreased survival compared to those with p53-nonaltered group (RR = 7.4, 95% CI = 1.9-28.2). Alteration of p53 is common and IHC is an efficient method to detect p53 alteration in PCFT. Shorter survival is associated with p53 alteration which is an independent marker for the disease in this study. Alteration of p53 may be an early event in tubal tumorigenesis and may play an important role in the development of PCFT. Whether detection of p53 alteration may serve as an indicator of high-risk patients for whom more aggressive adjuvant chemotherapy may be considered needs to be explored in the future.

Secretory expression of a single-chain insulin precursor in yeast and its conversion into human insulin

A synthetic single-chain porcine insulin precursor (PIP) gene and an alpha-mating factor leader sequence (alpha MFL) gene obtained by the PCR method are inserted between the promoter and 3'-terminating sequence of the alcohol dehydrogenase gene ADH1 in plasmid pVT102-U to form plasmid pVT102-U/alpha MFL-PIP. The single-chain insulin precursor is expressed and secreted to the culture medium by Saccharomyces cerevisiae transformed by pVT102-U/alpha MFL-PIP. The precursor is purified and converted into human insulin by tryptic transpeptidation. The purified human insulin is fully active and can be crystallized. The overall yield of human insulin is 25 mg per liter of culture medium.

[Experimental study on in vivo hematopoietic regulation of IL-6 gene-transfected tumor vaccine]

In the present study, we investigated the effects on hematopoiesis of inactivated vaccines prepared from mouse erythroid leukemia cells (FBL-3) transfected with IL-6 gene. After treatment with IL-6 gene-transfected FBL-3 cells, the platelet count in mice started to increase at day 4, reached its maximum at day 10 and lasted for 25 days. The neutrophil count also increased significantly, but WBC count remained unchanged. The CFU-GM and CFU-MK were elevated to some extent in bone marrow and spleen. These results indicated that in addition to augmentation of antitumor immunity, IL-6 gene-transfected tumor vaccine could promote hematopoietic functions in bone marrow and spleen, and elevate platelet and neutrophil counts in peripheral blood. This approach to gene therapy may be applicable in leukemia treatment, especially for thrombocytopenia related to leukemia or chemotherapy.

[Acceleration of hematopoietic reconstitution in mice transplanted with syngeneic bone marrow cells by IL-6 gene therapy]

In the present study, the potential of fibroblast-mediated IL-6 gene therapy for accelerating hematopoietic reconstitution after syngeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in BALB/c mice subjected to total body irradiation at a dose of 7 Gy was investigated. We observed that not only recovery of platelets, WBCs, CFU-GM or CFU-MK in bone marrow in mice treated with IL-6 gene therapy in combination with transplantation of 10(7) syngeneic bone marrow cells was faster than that in mice treated with IL-6 gene therapy in combination with transplantation of 10(6) or 10(5) syngeneic bone marrow cells, but also the number of CFU-S or survival rate in mice treated with IL-6 gene therapy in combination with transplantation of 10(7) syngeneic bone marrow cells was significantly higher. Nevertheless, the number of platelets, WBCs, CFU-GM or CFU-MK in bone marrow, CFU-S and survival rate in mice treated with IL-6 gene therapy in combination with transplantation of syngeneic bone marrow cells were elevated more significantly than that in mice transplanted with syngeneic bone marrow cells alone. These data demonstrated that IL-6 gene therapy could markedly augment hematopoietic reconstitution after syngeneic bone marrow transplantation and the more bone marrow cells transplanted, the better was the effect.

[Effects of smoking on lung function in populations of Beijing and Guangzhou]

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the relationship between cigarette smoking and lung function in populations of Beijing and Guangzhou.

METHODS

Complete lung function and smoking habit data were recruited from 7983 men and women aged 35-59 in or around Beijing and Guangzhou. Comparisons were made between smokers and never smokers.

RESULTS

The mean values of FEV1/H2, FEF/H2 and FEV1/FVC are all lower in smokers than in never smokers for male smokers, the observed mean value of FEV1/H2 for each age group in smaller than the respective predicted value, and its descending trend with aging is more obvious than the predicted value when re-examination after 2-4 years; furthermore, smokers had higher prevalences of respiratory symptom and COPD.

CONCLUSION

Cigarette smoking is harmful to lung function.

[Experimental study on in vivo hematopoietic regulation of interleukin-6 gene therapy]

Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pleiotropic cytokine, is involved in extensive immune regulation and hematopoietic regulation. We observed the effect of fibroblast mediated human IL-6 gene therapy on hematopoiesis. The platelet counts started to increase at day 4 after implantation of IL-6 highly secreting fibroblast cells and peaked at day 10 and lasted at high level for 22 days. The neutrophil counts were elevated after their implantation, but WBC did not show any remarkable increase. The CFU-GM and CFU-MK in bone marrow and spleen were also increased significantly. The results demonstrated that fibroblasts mediated human IL-6 gene therapy can significantly augment in vivo hematopoietic functions in bone marrow and spleen and elevate the number of nuetrophils and platelets. This study provides a new approach to treat thrombopenia and chemotherapy or radiotherapy-induced hematopoietic suppression.

Antagonists of bombesin/gastrin-releasing Peptide inhibit growth of jar human choriocarcinoma cells and production of cyclic-amp in-vitro

The effects of bombesin/GRP antagonists RC-3095 and RC-3940-II on the in vitro proliferation of JAR human choriocarcinoma cells were evaluated. Antagonists RC-3095 and RC-3940-II effectively inhibited growth of cultured JAR cells, inducing a dose- and time-dependent decrease in the number of treated cells. RC-3940-II was more potent than RC-3095 in inhibiting the growth of JAR cells. Addition of RC-3940-II to JAR cell cultures significantly inhibited the cell proliferation at concentrations as low as 1 nM, while 10 nM RC-3095 was required for a similar effect. Receptor binding studies demonstrated the presence of a single class of binding sites for bombesin on JAR cells. RC-3940-II displaced [I-125]Tyr(4)-bombesin bound to the receptors. When JAR cells were cultured in the presence of 10 nM RC-3095 or RC-3940-II for 72 h, cAMP levels in the incubation medium were decreased by 70-80%, compared to the controls. These results suggest that bombesin/GRP antagonists RC-3095 and RC-3940-II inhibit the proliferation of JAR human chorionic adenocarcinoma cells in vitro and that these effects may involve intracellular cAMP pathway.

[Primary non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma of bone in 5 patients]

The authors report here 5 cases of primary non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma of bone. All bones of the body can be involved, but the commonly inflicted ones are pelvis and femur. This kind of lymphoma possesses no special clinical features and X-ray manifestation, so it is very difficult to be diagnosed and easily misdiagnosed. The diagnosis can be made with the following 5 items: (1) local significance; (2) X-ray manifestation; (3) bone origination; (4) the no proof of originating from other tissues; and (5) pathological examination. This kind of lymphoma is mainly treated with radiotherapy, and adjuvant surgical treatment and chemotherapy are sometimes given.

Photokilling of T-24 human bladder cancer cells with titanium dioxide

A photoexcited titanium dioxide surface has a strong ability to decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen. We have studied this effect in order to use it to kill cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. A distinct cell killing effect was observed on cultured T-24 human bladder cancer cells treated with titanium dioxide particles and 300-400 nm UV light irradiation. Titanium dioxide plus UV light also dramatically suppressed the tumour growth of T-24 cells that were implanted in nude mice. Cells cultured on the titanium dioxide electrode were also killed under UV irradiation when the electrode was anodically polarised, suggesting that photogenerated holes are involved in the cell killing. The cell killing effect caused by titanium dioxide particles plus UV light irradiation was significantly hampered in the presence of L-cysteine and catalase, scavengers of hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide respectively. Transmission electron microscopic observations showed the titanium dioxide particles to be distributed on the cell surface and inside the cells. These results suggest that titanium dioxide particles under UV light irradiation produced photogenerated holes on the surface yielding hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide inside or outside the cells and the cells were then killed by the action of these highly oxidising molecules. The possible application of photoexcited titanium dioxide particles to cancer treatment as a new anti-cancer modality is discussed.

Clinical assessment of biplanar transesophageal echocardiography--a report of 125 cases

One hundred and twenty-five patients with cardiovascular disease were examined by biplanar transesophageal echocardiography (BTEE), including 67 with rheumatic heart disease (7 monitored during operation), 22 with aortic diseases, 20 with congenital heart diseases, and 16 with other kinds of heart disease. The results showed that BTEE was not influenced by corpulent and pulmonary emphysema and was better than transthoracic echocardiography at imaging the interatrial septum, left atrium and left atrial appendage, thoracic aorta, and mitral artificial valve and at intraoperative monitoring. BTEE was also better than single-plane transesophageal echocardiography, because BTEE could be used to observe the heart and thoracic aorta in transverse and longitudinal planes, thus enlarging the transmission "window" as well as allowing the entire lesion to be imaged. This study suggests that BTEE will have good prospects in clinical application.

[Isolation, purification and the characteristics of 70 KD pronucleation glycoprotein in the bile]

In recent years, the great achievement in the etiology of cholelithiasis is the discovery of pro- and anti-nucleating factors in human bile. Using Con-A affinity chromatography combined with Sephadex G-200 molecular sieve technique, we have isolated and purified a strong pronucleating glycoprotein in gallbladder bile. Its molecular weight is 70KD, the quantity ratio of neutral hexose to protein in this glycoprotein is 15.88%. One molecule has about 640 amino acid residues. Its N-terminal amino acid sequence is N-Ser-His-Gly-Met-Arg-Gln-Tyr-Tyr-Met-Lys. The pathogenic and biological significance of this glycoprotein in the pathogenesis of gallstone were discussed.

Induction of cytotoxicity by photoexcited TiO2 particles

Photoexcited TiO2 particles can drive various chemical reactions due to their strong oxidizing and reducing ability. To investigate the possible use of this effect for cancer treatment, the antitumor activity of photoexcited TiO2 particles was studied in vitro and in vivo. HeLa cells cultured in vitro were completely killed in the presence of TiO2 (50 micrograms/ml) with 10-min UV irradiation by a 500-W-Hg lamp. In contrast, very little cell death was observed from TiO2 treatment without UV irradiation. Photoexcited TiO2 particles also significantly suppressed the growth of HeLa cells implanted in nude mice, compared with those receiving TiO2 alone or UV irradiation alone. The cell death caused by photoexcited TiO2 particles was significantly protected in the presence of L-tryptophan and catalase. These molecules are quenchers of hydroxyl radicals and scavengers of hydrogen peroxide, respectively, suggesting that the cells were killed by the OH. and H2O2 produced from photoexcited TiO2 particles.