[Combined five tumor markers in detecting primary hepatic carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To increase the detection rate of primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC) and to diagnose PHC earlier.

METHODS

AFP was combined with r-glutamyle transpeptidase (r-GT), alpha-fucosidase (AFU), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and DR-70.

RESULTS

The positive detection rate of PHC negative AFP with combined four markers was 9.4%. The total positive detection rate of PHC with combined five tumor markers reached 98.0% which was significantly higher than that with AFP (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The positive detection rate of PHC can be increased by combined five tumor markers. It is helpful in diagnosing PHC earlier and can differentiate PHC from liver cirrhosis.

Human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase and protease sequence database

The HIV RT and Protease Sequence Database is an online relational database that catalogs evolutionary and drug-related human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reverse transcriptase (RT) and protease sequence variation (http://hivdb.stanford.edu). The database contains a compilation of nearly all published HIV RT and protease sequences including International Collaboration database submissions (e.g., GenBank) and sequences published in journal articles. Sequences are linked to data about the source of the sequence sample and the antiretroviral drug treatment history of the individual from whom the isolate was obtained. The database is curated and sequences are annotated with data from >230 literature references. Users can retrieve additional data and view alignments of sequence sets meeting specific criteria (e.g., treatment history, subtype, presence of a particular mutation). A gene-specific sequence analysis program, new user-defined queries and nearly 2000 additional sequences were added in 1999.

[Experimental study on the role of the pedicle of the subdermal vascular network skin flap]

OBJECTIVE

The experiment was to investigate the role of the pedicle of the subdermal vascular network skin flap.

METHODS

Ten healthy white pigs, weighting from 20 to 25 kg were used. The subdermal vascular network skin flap and the traditional skin flap were designed and created on each side of the animal's flank. The traditional skin flap on the contralateral side of the flank was used as control. Flap survival was studied by gross observation and ECT examination of isotope distribution.

RESULTS

There were significant differences between the two groups in mean survival length and area (P < 0.05). In both groups the radioactive isotope gathering is restricted proximally with a ratio of length to width of (1-1.5):1.

CONCLUSION

The presence of the pedicle of the subdermal vascular network skin flap makes no difference compared the traditional skin flap.

[Expression of apoptosis regulating proteins P 53, c-myc and bcl-2 on CD34+ hematopoietic cells isolated from human bone marrow]

OBJECTIVE

To show the coexpression levels of P 53, c-myc or bcl-2, three key apoptosis-regulating proteins on CD34+HC and bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC).

METHODS

IsolexTM50 or CIMS-100 systems of immunomagnetic bead separation and two-dimensional flow cytometric analysis of the immunofluorescence double staining were used.

RESULTS

With 90%-95% purity of CD34+HC measured by FACS, we found that expression levels of P53, c-myc, and bcl-2 on both CD34+HC and BMMNC were as follows: CD34+/P53 + 0.1-00.8% versus BMMNC 0.1-0.6%; CD34+/c-myc+2.4%-11. 3% versus BMMNC 0.1-0.4%; CD34+/bcl-2+0.5-1.6% versus BMMNC 0.1-0.8%. Coexpression of c-myc and bcl-2 on CD34+HC was significantly higher than those observed on BMMNC respectively.

CONCLUSION

It could be speculated that apoptosis-regulating proteins P53, c-myc and bcl-2 play a key role in the control of the survival, proliferation, differentiation, maturation and death in hematopoietic cells of physiological state, suggesting that these proteins balance the production numbers and quality of hematopoietic cells.

[Morphological and cytochemitry features of CD34+ hematopoietic cells isolated from human bone marrow]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the cytomorphological and cytochemitry features of CD34+ hematopoietic cells.

METHODS

Highly purified CD34+ hematopoietic cells isolated from human bone marrow by a two-step method of immunomagnetic beads-FACS sorting were comprehensively examined.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

CD34+ hematopoietic cells could be sorted into three types in light of morphology and cytochemical staining. Type I was considered as candidates for stem cells,which were most blastlike in morphology and slightly larger than lymphocytes in size with negative reactions to all cytochemical stainings. Type II was considered as multipotent progenitor cells, with sizes similar to small lymphocytes and negative reactions to all cytochemical stainings. Type III was identified as committed progenitor cells whose sizes were heterogeneous and whose reactions to cytochemical stainings ranged from +/- to + +.

[Effect of (+/-)12-chloroscoulerine on brain dopamine receptors]

AIM

To assess potencies of tetrahydroprotoberberines (THPB) and hydrobenzyltetrahydroisoquinolines (HBTI) on DA receptors.

METHODS

The receptor binding assay with calf striatum to D1 and D2 receptors, and the animal behavior tests were used.

RESULTS

(+/-) 12-Chloroscoulerine (CSL) was the most potent one among the THPB and HBTI. The affinities of CSL to D1 and D2 receptors were 13 and 51 nmol.L-1, respectively. In rats, CSL showed an antagonistic effect on the stereotypy and induced catalepsy. In the 6-OHDA lesioned rats, however, CSL exerted the agonistic effect to DA receptors.

CONCLUSION

CSL had dual actions to DA receptors and its effects were similar to that of (-)stepholidine.

[Inhibitory effects of antisense oligonucleotides delivered locally via hydrogel catheter on myointimal hyperplasia of rat carotid artery after nitrogen drying]

OBJECTIVE

To determine if antisense c-myb delivered locally via the hydrogel catheter inhibits the development of myointimal hyperplasia in rat carotid artery after nitrogen desiccation of the endothelium.

METHODS

Forty rats were randomized into four groups (ten in each). After endothelial injury, different oligonucleotides were administered locally through the hydrogel catheter. Animals were killed at 14 days following gas drying. The lumen areas, ratios of intimal to medial areas and intimal to medial thickness were measured with the aid of computer. The q test was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The lumen area of antisense c-myb group (0.29 +/- 0.01 mm2) was larger than that of sense and mismatch groups (0.17 +/- 0.05 mm2, q = 4.1729; 0.18 +/- 0.05 mm2, q = 3.7489, P < 0.05), and less than that of control group (0.40 +/- 0.14, q = 3.7782, P < 0.05). The ratios of intimal to medial areas and intimal to medial thickness for antisense c-myb group (0.45 +/- 0.24, 0.57 +/- 0.24) were significantly decreased compared with sense and mismatch groups (1.26 +/- 0.25, q = 9.8913; 1.16 +/- 0.38, q = 8.4252; 2.15 +/- 0.85, q = 8.6850; 1.85 +/- 0.79, q = 6.8389, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Myointimal hyperplasia of rat carotid artery after nitrogen drying can be markedly suppressed by intravascular local delivery of synthetic antisense c-myb via hydrogel catheter. The technique is a promising to prevent artery from obstructive stenosis.

Comparative observation on effect of electric acupuncture of neiguan (P 6) at chen time versus xu time on left ventricular function in patients with coronary heart disease

Paired experimental design was adopted in this experiment for comparative observation on effect of electric acupuncture (EA) of Neiguan (P 6) at Chen Time (7 a.m. to 9 a.m.) versus Xu Time (7 p.m. to 9 p.m.) on left ventricular function in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). The results show that EA performed at Chen Time could improve the left ventricular function of CHD patients as indicated by shortening of PEPI and decrease of PEPI/LVETI ratio; on the contrary, EA performed at Xu Time prolonged PEPI and raised PEPI/LVETI ratio in CHD patients, suggesting impairment of left ventricular function.

A noninvasive transcutaneous alternative to rectal thermometry for continuous measurement of core temperature in the piglet

Deep body temperature is an important and accepted index of health status in newborn infants. There are no easily used accurate methods for continuous deep body temperature measurements. Oral and tympanic membrane temperatures correlate well with rectal temperature but are not easily adapted to continuous measurement. We devised a noninvasive transcutaneous temperature sensor for continuous deep body temperature measurement that relies on the principle that, under steady state conditions, the temperature at the thermally insulated surface of a warm body, i.e. a zero heat loss surface, will be in equilibrium with the warmest part of the body. We used a standard clinical temperature probe placed between the skin and the mattress and attached to the skin with a foam adhesive disk. We used standard skin temperature probe attachment disks, which are also designed to provide thermal insulation to the skin temperature probe. We tested the hypothesis that this transcutaneous temperature would track body temperature as indicated by rectal temperature. In six anesthetized (pentobarbital) newborn piglets (1600 +/- 200 g) placed on their abdomen in a convectively warmed infant incubator, we measured continuously the following temperatures for 5 h: transcutaneous over lower and upper abdomen, brown fat, rectal, and descending aorta. To examine the influence of environment, we varied the incubator air temperature between 32 degrees and 36 degrees C. Both transcutaneous temperatures tracked the rectal temperature, within 0.2 degree C for transcutaneous over lower abdomen and within 0.3 degree C for transcutaneous over upper abdomen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Sinus node electrogram recording in complete atrioventricular block

Surface electrocardiogram (ECG), sinus node electrogram (SNE), His bundle electrogram (HBE), and intracardiac electrogram of high right atrium (HRA) were recorded synchronously in 11 of the 14 consecutive cases with complete atrioventricular block (CAVB). SNE showed the presence of a pre-P wave that preceded in all the P wave on the ECG and had no relationship to QRS complex or TU repolarization. This confirmed that the pre-P wave arose from the sinus node. Direct sinoatrial conduction time (SACTd) in nine cases was within the normal range (less than 120 msec). SACTd in another two cases was prolonged to 185 msec and 210 msec, respectively, suggesting their abnormal sinus node conduction.