[Histopathologic classification of 1921 orbital tumors]

PURPOSE

The retrospective study is undertaken to determine the histopathologic types of space-occupying lesions of the orbit in 1921 cases examined between 1953-1992 at the Eye Pathology Laboratory of Shanghai Medical University.

METHODS

The authors reviewed old diagnostic pathologic slides on file including HE stain as well as special stains, if available, for all the indeterminate cases. Newly prepared immunohistochemical stains are made for the controversial cases to help diagnosis. Some slides are discussed and diagnosed by Pathology Slide Meeting of the Shanghai Surgical Pathology Society. Cases with diagnosis not agreed upon by the pathology meeting are excluded from this study.

RESULTS

The 5 leading malignant orbital tumors are malignant lacrimal gland tumors (138 cases, 32%), malignant lacrimal sac tumors (112 cases, 26%), rhabdomyosarcomas (65 cases, 15%), lymphosarcomas (56 cases, 13%), and malignant hemangiopericytomas (31 cases, 7%). The 5 leading benign orbital tumors are cavernous hemangionas (411 cases, 36%), dermoid cysts (152 cases, 13%), benign mixed tumors (150 cases, 13%), inflammatory pseudotumosr (129 cases, 11%), and schwannomas (92 cases, 8%). Rare tumors of the orbit include alveolar soft tissue sarcoma, chondrosarcoma, mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, giant cell tumor, granular myoblastoma, yolk sac tumor, and retinal anlage tumor.

CONCLUSION

This study, in agreement with other reports of the statics study of the orbital tumors demonstrates the prevalence of hemangiomas, lacrimal gland tumors and lymphoid pseudo-tumors to be the common space-occupying lesions in the orbit. Some rare tumors are discussed.

Tumor necrosis factor in synovial fluid of patients with temporomandibular disorders

PURPOSE

To assess tumor necrosis factor (TNF) activity in synovial fluid from patients with temporomandibular disorders.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) activity in synovial fluid from 27 patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) was studied using the MTT tetrazolium WEHI 164 clone 13 cell cytotoxicity assay.

RESULTS

No detectable TNF levels were found in five patients with a masticatory muscle disorder, but elevated TNF levels were found in 5 of 11 patients with TMJ disc displacement, and in 9 of 11 patients with degenerative joint disease.

CONCLUSION

The findings of biologically active TNF in the synovial fluid of these patients suggests that it may play a role in the pathogenesis of certain temporomandibular disorders.

[Investigation on scoliosis incidence among 24,130 school children]

Through the screening on scoliosis among 24,130 school children in Hu Guan County, Shanxi Province, it showed that the forward-bending test was positive in 1,794 children (7.4 per cent), with male 3.64 per cent and female 3.8 per cent. The hump inclination angles that were more than 4 degrees were found in 665 children (2.75 per cent). The Cobb angles that were more than 10 degrees were found in 347 children. The incidence rate was 1.44 per cent, with a male to female ratio of 1:1.17. Most of them were idiopathic scoliosis.

PDI-, PPI- and chaperone-catalyzed refolding of recombinant human IL-2 and GM-CSF

The studies on PDI-, PPI- and chaperone-catalyzed refolding of recombinant human IL-2 and GM-CSF show that PDI can prevent the mismatch of disulfide bonds and formation of aggregates by interchains linkage; furthermore, PDI can correct the mismatching of disulfide bonds in IL-2 isomers. PPI can increase the rate of folding reaction while chaperone can prevent the aggregation during the folding process. In addition, there is a synergistic effect between them.

[Gallbladder contraction and microscopi observation of the gallbladder wall in gallstone patients]

On the basis of oral cholecystography (OCG), we selected gallstone patients for nontoperative intervention. Their gallbladder function was considered as normal when gallbladder contracted over 50%-75% after a fat meal at 1 hour. We collected 99 gallstone patients and 19 normal controls; gallbladder function was normal in 77 patients and poor in 22. After a fat meal gallbladder volumes were calculated by B ultrasonography. The results showed that both fasting and residual volume in patients with so-called normal contraction were significantly greater than that in the controls (P < 0.001), though the contraction rate was not different. The combination of gallbladder contraction rate measurement and residual volume calculation by ultrasonography was superior over traditional OCG.

[Evaluation of radiographic diagnosis on osteoarthrosis of the temporomandibular joint]

84 cadavers' temporomandibular joints were used to compare the results shown in standard lateral tomographs and Schuller's position films with gross views on the bone and cartilage changes. The results and conclusions were as follows: (1) The positive rates of the radiographic evidences were associated with the degrees of the macroscopic lesions. The more severe the macroscopic lesion, the higher the positive rate of radiographic evidence. (2) The sensitivity of radiographic examination was positively correlated with the extent of the macroscopic lesion. So, the negative predictive value was. However, the specificity and the positive predictive value of the radiographic examination were negatively correlated with macroscopic change index. It has been found that the more the extent of osteoarthrosis changes, the higher the sensitivity of radiographic examination; the higher the negative predictive values, the higher the positive rate of radiographic evidence, and the lower the underdiagnosis rate was. Meanwhile, the more the extent of bone pathological changes in the joint, the lower specificity of the radiographic examination, and the lower the positive predictive values and the misdiagnosis is increased. (3) The radiographic diagnostic value based on the standard latreal tomographs of TMJ, Schuller's position films or based on the both methods was not satisfied. Its underdiagnosis rate was higher. Therefore, we suggest that multiple-layers lateral tomography should be widely used in clinical practice.

Stimulatory and inhibitory effects of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 on the production of cytokines by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells: priming for IL-12 and tumor necrosis factor alpha production

The production of cytokines in monocytes/macrophages is regulated by several different cytokines that have activating or inhibitory effects. Interleukin (IL)-10, IL-4, IL-13, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta are usually considered to be the most important macrophage-deactivating factors, with inhibitory effects on cytokine production. Unlike IL-10 and TGF-beta, which appear to act as downmodulators of many phagocytic cell functions, the mode of action of IL-4 and IL-13 is more complex. Addition of IL-4 and IL-13 to peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures inhibited production of IL-12, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-10, and IL-1 beta induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or Staphylococcus aureus added simultaneously with the cytokines. However, pretreatment of PBMC with IL-4 or IL-13 for > or = 20 h enhanced the production of IL-12 and TNF-alpha in response to LPS or S. aureus several fold in these cells; this IL-4-induced priming for the two cytokines was inhibited by anti-IL-4 neutralizing antibodies. IL-4 priming also enhanced the accumulation of IL-12 and TNF-alpha mRNA induced by LPS and S. aureus. The enhanced accumulation of transcripts for the IL-12 p35 and p40 chains by IL-4 priming was reflected in enhanced secretion of both the IL-12 free p40 chain and the p70 heterodimer. These results suggest an unexpected complexity in the regulatory role of IL-4 and IL-13 in immune responses.

Interleukin-12 production by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) produce interleukin-12 (IL-12). Both the free IL-12 p40 chain and minute amounts of the biologically active IL-12 p70 heterodimers are produced by PMN. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) enhanced the LPS-induced secretion of both the free IL-12 p40 chain and the p70 heterodimer by approximately fivefold. As observed for other IL-12-producing cell types, the ratio of free p40 chain to p70 heterodimer secreted by LPS-stimulated PMN was approximately 20:1. LPS induced a 100-fold increase of IL-12 p40 mRNA, but had minimal effect on p35 mRNA accumulation. IFN-gamma enhanced the LPS-induced accumulation of p40 mRNA and directly induced a several-fold increase in the accumulation of p35 mRNA. Therefore, the combined effect of LPS and IFN-gamma induced sufficient expression of both p40 and p35 to attain production of the biologically active p70 heterodimer at physiologically relevant concentrations. The ratio between p40 and p35 mRNA abundance in PMN stimulated with both LPS and IFN-gamma was approximately 200:1, explaining the secretion of the free p40 chain in much higher concentrations than the p70 heterodimer. IL-10, an inhibitor of the production of various cytokines in PMN, also suppressed IL-12 mRNA accumulation and secretion by PMN. Because of the important immunoregulatory function of IL-12, in particular induction of IFN-gamma production and facilitation of T helper cell type 1 response, the ability of PMN to produce IL-12 suggests that neutrophils may play an active role in the regulatory interaction between innate resistance and adaptive immunity.

Magnetic resonance imaging verification of a multi-compartment perfusion model for a chromatography gel phantom

A model of MRI signal intensity was developed for chromatography column phantoms containing Sephadex gels, which were used to simulate tissue perfusion and the exchange of protons between extravascular and intravascular tissue compartments. Computer simulations of two-compartment and three-compartment models were compared in experiments that used two chromatography columns. One column contained a Sephadex G-25 gel that had a smaller pore size and a slower rate of exchange between extrabead and intrabead compartments than did a second column, which contained a G-50 gel with a larger pore size. In both columns the beads were of approximately the same size to simulate the same ratio of intrabead volume to extrabead volume. Slice-selective spin-echo experiments were performed with the columns oriented parallel to each other in a 1.5 T imager and parallel to the magnetic field, with water flowing through each column perpendicular to the slice at mean flow velocities ranging between 0 and 0.66 mm/s. The results of the experiments agreed with computer simulations, which showed that the MRI signal intensity in the perfused columns is a function of the rate of exchange between extrabead and intrabead compartments. The exchange process modifies the transit time of protons passing through an excited region. The simulations also showed that both two-compartment and three-compartment models could be used to fit the experimental data. Experiments with chromatography gel columns are a preliminary investigation into the potential of using MRI to measure the exchange between extravascular and intravascular compartments of endogenous protons during blood perfusion of biological tissue.

[Repair of scalp defects with skull exposure]

The methods for repairing scalp defects and skull exposure are introduced. From 1980 to 1991, 9 cases of scalp defects and skull exposure from injury or tumor extirpation were treated with free omentum transfer with split skin graft, free flap or axial flap transfer. The surgical procedure was described in detail. For the whole defect of scalp with skull exposure the authors consider the free anterior-lateral femoral flap more appropriate and suggest that the free omentum flap be avoided as far as possible.

Cytotoxic clerodane diterpenes from Polyalthia barnesii

Three cytotoxic clerodane diterpenes were purified from an ethyl acetate-soluble extract of the stem bark of Polyalthia barnesii, namely, 16 alpha-hydroxycleroda-3,13(14)Z-dien-15,16-olide, a known compound, and two novel compounds, 3 beta, 16 alpha-dihydroxycleroda-4(18),13(14)Z-dien-15,16-olide and 4 beta, 16 alpha-dihydroxyclerod-13(14)Z-en-15,16-olide. These compounds were found to exhibit broad cytotoxicity against a panel of human cancer cell lines.

Indole alkaloids from Peschiera laeta that enhance vinblastine-mediated cytotoxicity with multidrug-resistant cells

Coronaridine [1], conoduramine [2], and voacamine [3], three indole alkaloids isolated from Peschiera laeta, have been found to enhance the cytotoxic response mediated by vinblastine [4] with multidrug-resistant KB cells. Inhibition of vinblastine binding with membrane vesicles isolated from this cell line was also assessed, and the bisindole alkaloids conoduramine [2] and voacamine [3] were found to be more potent inhibitory agents than the monomeric alkaloid, coronaridine [1]. Thus, these compounds appear to function by binding with P-glycoprotein.

Submillisecond photorefractive response time of KNbO(3):Rb(+)

We investigate the photorefractive response time of diffraction gratings in Rb(+)-doped KNbO(3) crystals. Two components of charge carriers, with different response times, are found to contribute to the photoinduced index gratings. One component, which contributes to approximately 70% of the index grating, shows a submillisecond rise time when the total intensity of the writing beams is larger than 5 W/cm(2). The dependence of the response time on the light intensity and the grating wave vector is also investigated.

Electrophysiologic effects of total flavones of Hippophae rhamnoides L on guinea pig papillary muscles and cultured rat myocardial cells

The effects of total flavones of Hippophae rhamnoides L (TFH) were evaluated using conventional microelectrode technic. After administration of TFH 100-200 mg.L-1, the action potential duration of 50% repolarization (APD50) was shortened both in cultured rat myocardial cells and in guinea pig papillary muscles. The slope of phase 4 of depolarization (SP4) in cultured rat myocardial cells was decreased and the contractile force (CF) in guinea pig papillary muscles was weakened. Arrhythmias evoked by strophantin G in guinea pig papillary muscles were suppressed by TFH 100 mg.L-1. These findings suggested that the influence of TFH on myocardial cells may be resulted mainly from its inhibition of Ca2+ influx and its interference with intracellular Ca2+ reservoir.

Compact reflection-grating-based phase conjugator in KNbO(3):Fe crystals

We present the design and the results of experimental investigations of a self-pumped phase conjugator through a reflection grating in a special-cut photorefractive KNbO(3):Fe crystal. High reflectivity, good phase-conjugate fidelity, and fast response time are obtained.

Effect of antireflection coating on the performance of Faraday rotators

The transmission and reflection properties of Faraday rotators are investigated by use of the boundaryvalue approach. Transmission and reflection coefficient matrices are derived from boundary conditions and transmission and reflection functions. The performances of extinction ratio and insertion and return losses of Faraday rotators are calculated for yttrium iron garnet, bismuth-substituted iron garnet, and BiCaInVIG (a non-rare-earth iron garnet) Faraday rotators.

Impaired interleukin 12 production in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, asymptomatic or with acquired immunodeficiency virus, produced 10-fold less interleukin 12 (IL-12) free heavy chain and fivefold less biologically active IL-12 heterodimer than PBMC from uninfected healthy donors when challenged in vitro with the common human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. In contrast, PBMC from HIV-infected individuals and uninfected control donors produced similar levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-10, and PBMC from HIV-infected individuals produced three- to fourfold more IL-6 compared with PBMC from uninfected control donors. The defect in IL-12 production is not due to hyperproduction of IL-10, a cytokine exerting an autocrine-negative feedback on IL-12 production, but was directly related to HIV infection, as suggested by the reduced ability of monocytes infected in vitro with HIV to produce IL-12. IL-12 deficiency may be an important component of the immunodeficiency associated with HIV infection.

Generation of alginate-poly-l-lysine-alginate (APA) biomicrocapsules: the relationship between the membrane strength and the reaction conditions

Alginate-poly-l-lysine-alginate (APA) microcapsules have proven effective in protecting enclosed live cells from immune rejection following transplantation into experimental animals, thereby eliminating the need for immunosuppressive therapy. However, in order for the capsules to remain intact for extended periods in vivo, the thickness of the membrane material must be optimized. In this study, the membrane thickness was examined as an indicator of membrane strength and measured under different reaction conditions. The thickness was found to increase 1) from 4.6 microns to 6.6 microns with an increase in the concentration of sodium alginate from 1.25 (w/v) to 2.0% (w.v); 2) from 4.2 microns to 6.2 microns with an increase in the concentration of the calcium solution from 20 mM to 100mM; 3) from 3.9 microns to 10.3 microns with an increase in the concentration of poly-l-lysine (PLL) from 0.02% (w/v) to 0.08% (w/v); and 4) from 2.3 microns to 7.4 microns with an increase in the reaction time with the PLL from two to seven minutes. On the other hand, membrane thickness decreased 1) from 9.8 microns to 8.6 microns with an increase of the pH in the PLL solution from 5.8 to 9.2; 2) from 13.2m to 5.8 microns with an increase in the molecular weight of PLL from 14,000 to 57,000; 3) from 8.4 microns to 6.0 microns with an increase in the treatment time with 0.9 (w/v) NaCl solution from zero to fifteen minutes and; 4) from 7.5 microns to 6.1 microns with an increase in the treatment time of the second sodium alginate coating from zero to ten minutes. Membrane thickness was inversely proportional to capsule volume expansion during membrane synthesis. By replacing calcium chloride by calcium lactate and eliminating the use of CHES in the construction of capsule membranes, we improved the strength and biocompatibility of our capsules, as evidenced by marked improvements in the survival rates of diabetic mice treated with islet transplants enclosed in the new capsules. These results indicate that it is possible to obtain optimal membrane thickness for a given purpose by creating specific reaction conditions under which membranes are synthesized.

Dose-response relationships in mice following subchronic exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin: CYP1A1, CYP1A2, estrogen receptor, and protein tyrosine phosphorylation

The dose-response relationships for different endpoints in different tissues were compared in response to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) treatment. TCDD was administered 5 days a week for 13 weeks at doses ranging from 1.5 to 150 ng/kg/day to female B6C3F1 mice. Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity, a marker for CYP1A1, was increased in liver, lung, and skin at doses as low as 1.5 ng/kg/day. EROD activity did not attain maximal induction. Liver acetanilide-4-hydroxylase activity, a marker for CYP1A2, was significantly induced at 1.5 ng/kg/day and reached maximal induction at 45 ng/kg/day. TCDD treatment significantly increased the amount of phosphorylated forms of three phosphotyrosyl proteins (pp32, pp34, and pp38) in liver S-20 fractions. Changes in these phosphotyrosyl proteins occurred at 1.5 ng/kg/day and reached maximal induction at 4.5 ng/kg/day. No changes in phosphotyrosyl proteins were observed in skin. Hepatic and uterine estrogen receptor levels were not altered at any of the doses tested. These data indicate that induction of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and the increases in phosphorylated forms of pp32, pp34, and pp38 are sensitive indicators of TCDD exposure. The dose-response curves for increases in CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and phosphorylated pp32, pp34, and pp38 in liver were different from each other. TCDD produces multiple effects with multiple dose-response curves suggesting that there are events in addition to receptor binding that are endpoint specific, leading to different dose-response relationships.

Stability study of drug-loaded proteinoid microsphere formulations during freeze-drying

Drug-loaded proteinoid microspheres were freeze-dried to facilitate shipping and handling and to enable long term storage. Heparin was chosen as the model drug in developing the optimum lyophilization process. The factors influencing the integrity of either heparin-loaded or unloaded ('empty') proteinoid microspheres during freeze-drying were determined, with emphasis on: selecting an optimum freezing and resuspending temperature; choosing an appropriate cryoprotectant and its optimum concentration in the formulation; and, designing a suitable method for formulating the microspheres. Freezing at/below -70 degrees C was found to minimize damage to the microspheres. Addition of sugars, such as trehalose and lactose, as cryoprotectants, further increased the stability of the heparin-loaded microspheres during freeze-drying. The optimum trehalose or lactose concentrations were determined to be 5% (w/v). Using the optimumized lyophilization process described in this manuscript, microspheres remained intact during freeze-drying. The freeze-dried microspheres were stable for at least three months post-lyophilization.

Acute 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin exposure results in enhanced tyrosylphosphorylation and expression of murine hepatic cyclin dependent kinases

An increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of two hepatic S9 proteins migrating at 34 and 33 kDa that cross-reacted with anti-PSTAIR antibody on immunoblots was seen 24 h after administration of a single dose of 0.25, 0.5, 1 or 2 micrograms 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)/kg to C57BL/6J female mice. Two hepatic S9 proteins migrating at 34 and 33 kDa that cross-reacted with anti-cdc2 C-terminus antibody on immunoblots were observed in corn oil control mice; increased expression of these proteins was seen with increasing doses of TCDD. A maximal increase in expression of 3-times the control was observed at 1 and 2 micrograms TCDD/kg for both p34 and p33. The stimulation of enhanced tyrosylphosphorylation and expression of cyclin dependent kinases p34cdc2 and p3cdk2 by TCDD is consistent with a mechanism of action of TCDD toxicity associated with stimulation of cellular proliferation.