Comparison of soliton robustness with respect to polarization-mode dispersion with first-order polarization-mode dispersion compensated linear systems

Soliton robustness to polarization-mode dispersion (PMD) is compared, both analytically and numerically, with that of linear pulses that use first-order PMD compensation. It is found that soliton robustness to PMD is comparable with first-order PMD compensation and in some cases is even better. The effects of soliton control methods on soliton robustness to PMD were also investigated, and it was found that soliton control methods can significantly improve the soliton's robustness to PMD, particularly for long-distance systems.

Suppression of the intensity noise of a laser-diode-pumped single-frequency ring Nd:YVO(4)-KTP green laser by optoelectronic feedback

We investigate the different characteristics of the intensity noise of a laser-diode-pumped single-frequency ring Nd:YVO (4) laser and a Nd:YVO (4)-KTP green laser. By use of an optoelectronic feedback circuit connected directly to the pump current of the laser diode, the low-frequency intensity noise of the intracavity frequency doubler was suppressed to some extent.

Selective neurodegeneration, without neurofibrillary tangles, in a mouse model of Niemann-Pick C disease

The BALB/c mouse model of Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) disease exhibits neuropathological similarities to the human condition. There is an age-related cerebral atrophy, demyelination of the corpus callosum, and degeneration of cerebellar Purkinje cells in the NPC mouse. In human NPC, many cortical and subcortical neurons contain neurofibrillary tangles, which are thought by some investigators to play an important role in the neurodegenerative process. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether neurodegeneration occurs in the NPC mouse, in brain regions other than the cerebellum and whether the degeneration is related to the presence of neurofibrillary tangles. Using light microscopic methods with immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and cell counting methods, 11-week-old NPC(+/+) and NPC(-/-) animals were examined. In the NPC(-/-) mice, there were 96% fewer Purkinje cells, 28% fewer neurons in the prefrontal cortex, 20% fewer neurons in the thalamus, and 63% fewer glial cells in the corpus callosum. On the other hand, previous studies indicate normal numbers of neurons and glial cells in these same neuroanatomical regions in young NPC(-/-) mice. There were normal numbers of cholinergic neurons in sections assessed in the striatum and basal forebrain in the 11-week-old animals and no evidence of neurofibrillary tangles within cells. The present data indicate that both neurons and glial cells die in the NPC mouse but that all cells are not equally vulnerable. There was no evidence for neurofibrillary tangles in the NPC mouse, and therefore the degenerative process in the mouse is unrelated to the neurofibrillary tangle.

[Studies on chemical constituents in fruit of Lycium barbarum L]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents in the fruit of Lycium barbarum.

METHOD

The chemical constituents were isolated by column chromatography and identified by spectral data.

RESULT

The compounds obtained were identified as scopoletin(I), beta-sitosterol(II), p-coumaric acid(III), glucose(IV), daucosterol(V) and betaine(VI).

CONCLUSION

Compounds III, IV and V were isolated from Lycium barbarum for the first time.

[Comparison of the diagnostic value of telomerase activity with CEA level in benign and malignant pleural effusions]

OBJECTIVE

To study the diagnostic value of telomerase activity in differentiating malignant from nonmalignant pleural effusions.

METHOD

Sixty-five specimens of pleural effusion were examined for telomerase activity and CEA level by PCR-ELISA and EIA, respectively. According to the final diagnosis achieved, the patients were classified into two groups: group I, 35 nonmalignant pleural effusions, group II, 30 malignant pleural effusions diagnosed by either fluid cytology or pleural biopsy. The results of telomerase activity were compared with CEA levels.

RESULTS

Two of thirty-five (5.7%) samples of pleural effusions in group I were found to possess weak telomerase activity and 27 of 30 (90%) samples in group II showed positive enzymatic activity. The diagnostic sensitivity is 0.90, specificity is 0.94, and the positive and negative predictive value are 0.93 and 0.92, respectively. The overall accuracy is 0.92. The diagnostic efficiency of CEA as following: sensitivity 0.60, specificity 0.89, positive and negative predictive value are 0.82 and 0.72, respectively, accuracy 0.75.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that the detection of telomerase activity in pleural effusions is more sensitive, more accurate than CEA in differentiating benign from malignant effusions and can be used as an adjunctive measure in the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusions.

Acrolein is increased in Alzheimer's disease brain and is toxic to primary hippocampal cultures

Accumulating evidence implicates oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Increased lipid peroxidation, decreased levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and increased levels of 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), F(2)-isoprostanes, and F(4)-neuroprostanes are present in the brain in AD. Acrolein, an alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydic product of lipid peroxidation, is approximately 100 times more reactive than HNE and recently was demonstrated in neurofibrillary tangles in the brain in AD. In three brain regions of 10 AD patients compared with 8 age-matched control subjects, we found increased mean extractable acrolein, with the increases reaching statistical significance in the amygdala and hippocampus/parahippocampal gyrus. In hippocampal neuron cultures, acrolein was neurotoxic in a time- and concentration-dependent manner and more toxic than HNE at 5 microM concentrations of each. Acrolein exposure led to a significant concentration-dependent increase in intracellular calcium concentrations. Collectively, these data show that acrolein is increased in the brain in AD and demonstrate neurotoxicity mechanisms that might be important in the pathogenesis of neuron degeneration in AD.

[Changes in Descemet's membrane and endothelium after photorefractive keratectomy in rabbits]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of epithelial abrasion on the corneal endothelium and Descemet's membrane and to compare the changes with those after eximer laser photoablation of the cornea.

METHODS

The animal models of corneal epithelial abrasion and excimer laser photoablation of the cornea were performed on the rabbit eyes. The central epithelial abrasion, 7 mm in diameter, was created by mechanical removal of the epithelium, and the specimens were examined at 24 hours, 7 days, 14 days and 30 days by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Corneas that were photoablated by an excimer laser and non-treated normal corneas were investigated as controls.

RESULTS

(1) Corneas with the epithelium removal showed massive enlargement of the mitochondria in the endothelium and exhibited a layer of electron-dense fibrillogranular material that had migrated forward through the Descemet's membrane. These alterations were similar to the changes observed after photoablation of the cornea by an excimer laser. (2) The edema and pathologic changes of corneal endothelium in eyes with denuded epithelium alone were similar to that observed after photoablation of the cornea by an excimer laser.

CONCLUSION

The extrusion of electron-dense material in the Descemet's membrane observed after excimer laser ablation destruction of the epithelial integrity.

[Values of TNF, IL-8, sICAM-1 and CD11b/CD18 in benign and malignant pleural effusions]

OBJECTIVES

To explore the significance of TNF, IL-8, sICAM-1 and CD11b/CD18 in pleural effusions and/or in peripheral blood in formation of pleural effusions and the possible role in differential diagnosis.

METHODS

Levels of TNF, IL-8, sICAM-1 and PMN CD11b/CD18 expression were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and flow cytometry (FCM). 31 patients with tuberculous pleural effusions, 31 malignant pleural effusions and 31 healthy persons as control were studied.

RESULTS

The serum levels of TNF, IL-8 and PMN CD11b/CD18 expression in benign and malignant effusions were markedly higher than those in controls (P < 0.01). The levels of TNF, IL-8 and PMN CD11b/CD18 in patients with tuberculous pleural effusions were elevated higher than those with malignant effusions (P < 0.01). The levels of sICAM-1 in pleural effusions were much lower in tuberculosis than malignancy (P < 0.01). TNF levels in pleural effusions were positively correlated to the IL-8 and sICAM-1 levels (r = 0.74 and 0.79, respectively, P < 0.01). TNF levels in serum was positively correlated to the PMN CD11b/CD18 expression (r = 0.61, P < 0.01), but the latter was negatively correlated to sICAM-1 levels of pleural effusions (Y = 1442.31 - 36.85X + 0.25X(2), R(2) = 0.59, F = 19.83, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The results show that TNF, IL-8, sICAM-1 and CD11b/CD18 may work and affect each other in immunopathological process of tuberculous and malignant pleural effusions. The changes of TNF, IL-8 in pleural effusions and the expressions of PMN CD11b/CD18 are of clinically diagnostic value in distinguishing tuberculous from malignant pleural effusions.

Anti-subnucleosome reactivities in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and their first-degree relatives

Antibodies specific for dsDNA appear to have different genetic origins and pathogenic consequences, compared with histone/dsDNA-specific antibodies, in a recently described murine model. The purpose of this study was to examine if this is also true in human lupus. Sera from 40 SLE families (comprising 40 probands and 153 first-degree relatives), and 45 normal adult controls were assayed for the levels of anti-dsDNA, anti-H1/dsDNA, anti-H2A/H2B/dsDNA, and anti-H3/H4/dsDNA autoantibodies by ELISA. Both the probands and the first-degree relatives exhibited significantly increased levels of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) targeting the different subnucleosomal epitopes. Importantly, probands with anti-dsDNA antibodies had a significantly higher incidence of renal disease compared with those with just anti-H2A/H2B/dsDNA antibodies, in resonance with murine studies. The frequency of anti-dsDNA and anti-H2A/H2B/DNA ANA among the first-degree relatives was 11.8% and 18.3%, respectively. Surprisingly, whereas probands with anti-dsDNA ANA had families with several seropositive members, first-degree relatives of patients with anti-H2A/H2B/DNA ANA (but not anti-dsDNA ANA) were uniformly ANA-free. These findings suggest that anti-dsDNA ANA in lupus may not only have worse disease associations, they may also have very different genetic origins, compared with anti-H2A/H2B/DNA (or anti-nucleosome) ANA.

[The effects of intrapleural anti-TNFalpha antibody on chemical pleurodesis induced by talc slurry or doxycycline]

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the intrapleural injection of TNFalpha neutralizing Fab antibody fragment (anti-TNFalpha Fab) would prevent the pleurodesis that occurs after the intrapleural injection of talc or doxycycline.

METHODS

In a randomized blinded placebo controlled study, 34 New Zealand white rabbits were given 400 mg/kg talc or 10 mg/kg doxycycline intrapleurally as a sclerosant via a chest tube. Half of the rabbits in each group were also given polyclonal affinity purified anti-TNFalpha Fab 2 000 units or saline as placebo immediately before and 12 hours after the injection of the sclerosants. Chest tube were aspirated at 12 hours intervals until their removal at 4 days. Rabbits were sacrificed at 28 days. The pleural fluid volume, cell counts, LDH and pleurodesis scores were compared among groups.

RESULTS

Both talc and doxycycline produced an exudative pleural effusion. The pleural fluid volume and LDH levels were significantly greater in the doxycycline group than talc group. However, the pleural fluid leukocyte counts in talc group were higher than doxycycline group. The administration of anti-TNFalpha Fab had no significant effect on pleural fluid volume, LDH or leukocyte counts in either groups. However, the intrapleural administration of anti-TNFalpha Fab results in a significant decrease in the pleurodesis score for the talc group than doxycycline group (1.8 +/- 0.9 vs 3.2 +/- 0.8). In contrast the pleurodesis score was virtually identical in the doxycycline group with (3.5 +/- 0.5) and without (3.4 +/- 0.7) anti-TNFalpha Fab.

CONCLUSION

The intrapleural administration of anti-TNFalpha Fab diminishes the pleurodesis induced by talc but not that which results from doxycycline. These findings suggest that different mechanisms are involed with the two different sclerosants.

Cholesterol is sequestered in the brains of mice with Niemann-Pick type C disease but turnover is increased

In Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC) disease, the concentration of cholesterol increases with age in every tissue except the brain. This study investigates whether accumulation of cholesterol might also occur within the cells of the central nervous system (CNS), but be obscured by the simultaneous loss of sterol from myelin as neurodegeneration proceeds. At birth, when there is little myelin in the CNS, the concentration of cholesterol is significantly elevated in every region of the brain in the homozygous NPC mouse. At 7 wk of age, myelination is nearly complete. In the NPC mouse, however, there is striking neurodegeneration and a reduction in both myelin protein and myelin cholesterol. Furthermore, net loss of cholesterol from the CNS is much higher in the NPC mouse than in the control animal (2.23 versus 1.37 mg/day per kg) so that the concentration of sterol in most regions of the brain is reduced. This neurodegeneration and loss of myelin cholesterol is not prevented by deletion of either the low-density lipoprotein receptor or apolipoprotein E in the NPC animal. Thus, the cholesterol sequestration seen in every organ in NPC disease also occurs in cells of the CNS and may be etiologically related to the neurodegeneration.

Acrolein, a product of lipid peroxidation, inhibits glucose and glutamate uptake in primary neuronal cultures

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Increased lipid peroxidation, decreased levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and increased levels of 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), F(2)-isoprostanes, and F(4)-neuroprostanes are present in the brain in patients with AD. Acrolein, an alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydic product of lipid peroxidation has been demonstrated to be approximately 100 times more reactive than HNE and is present in neurofibrillary tangles in the brain in AD. We recently demonstrated statistically significant elevated concentrations of extractable acrolein in the hippocampus/parahippocampal gyrus and amygdala in AD compared with age-matched control subjects. Concentrations of acrolein were two to five times those of HNE in the same samples. Treatment of hippocampal cultures with acrolein led to a time- and concentration-dependent decrease in cell survival as well as a concentration-dependent increase in intracellular calcium. In cortical neuron cultures, we now report that acrolein causes a concentration-dependent impairment of glutamate uptake and glucose transport in cortical neuron cultures. Treatment of cortical astrocyte cultures with acrolein led to the same pattern of impairment of glutamate uptake as observed in cortical neuron cultures. Collectively, these data demonstrate neurotoxicity mechanisms of arolein that might be important in the pathogenesis of neuron degeneration in AD.

TNF-alpha increases tracheal epithelial asbestos and fiberglass binding via a NF-kappaB-dependent mechanism

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is released from alveolar macrophages after phagocytosis of mineral fibers. To determine whether TNF-alpha affects the binding of fibers to epithelial cells, we exposed rat tracheal explants to TNF-alpha or to culture medium alone, followed by a suspension of amosite asbestos or fiberglass (MMVF10). Loosely adherent fibers were removed from the surface with a standardized washing technique, and the number of bound fibers was determined by scanning electron microscopy. Increasing doses of TNF-alpha produced increases in fiber binding. This effect was abolished by an anti-TNF-alpha antibody, the proteasome inhibitor MG-132, and the nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate. Gel shift and Western blot analyses confirmed that TNF-alpha activated NF-kappaB and depleted IkappaB in this system and that these effects were prevented by MG-132 and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate. These observations indicate that TNF-alpha increases epithelial fiber binding by a NF-kappaB-dependent mechanism. They also suggest that mineral particles may cause pathological lesions via an autocrine-like process in which the response evoked by particles, for example, macrophage TNF-alpha production, acts to enhance subsequent interactions of particles with tissue.

Centripetal cholesterol flow from the extrahepatic organs through the liver is normal in mice with mutated Niemann-Pick type C protein (NPC1)

Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) protein functions to move unesterified cholesterol from the lysosomal compartment to other intracellular sites for further metabolism and/or excretion. This cholesterol is brought into the cell through the coated-pit pathway and accumulates in the lysosomes when NPC protein is mutated. The present study quantitated the alternative uptake process that brings cholesterol into the cell through the scavenger receptor, class B, type I (SR-BI) pathway in animals with this mutation. In homozygous NPC mice, the tissues of the extrahepatic compartment accumulated an excess of 14 mg of cholesterol each day per kg body weight, and synthesis increased by a similar amount (to 111 mg/day per kg) to compensate for this functional loss of sterol through lysosomal sequestration. An amount of cholesterol (108 mg/day per kg) nearly equal to that synthesized in the extrahepatic compartment was carried through the circulation by high density lipoprotein (HDL) and taken up by the liver. The rate of hepatic cholesterol excretion from the NPC mice as fecal acidic (65 mg/day per kg) and neutral (85 mg/day per kg) sterols was elevated 61% above control values and was accounted for by the total amount of cholesterol brought to the liver in HDL and synthesized in the hepatocytes. These studies demonstrated that while cholesterol entering tissues of the NPC animals through the coated-pit pathway became sequestered in the lysosomal compartment and was metabolically inactive, cholesterol that was newly synthesized or that entered cells through the SR-BI pathway was metabolized and excreted normally.

Mapping quantitative trait loci in tetraploid populations

Knowledge of quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping in polyploids is almost void, albeit many exquisite strategies of QTL mapping have been proposed and extensive investigations have been carried out in diploid animals and plants. In this paper we develop a simple algorithm which uses an iteratively reweighted least square method to map QTLs in tetraploid populations. The method uses information from all markers in a linkage group to infer the probability distribution of QTL genotype under the assumption of random chromosome segregation. Unlike QTL mapping in diploid species, here we estimate and test the compound 'gametic effect', which consists of the composite 'genic effect' of alleles and higher-order gene interactions. The validity and efficiency of the proposed method are investigated through simulation studies. Results show that the method can successfully locate QTLs and separates different sources (e.g. additive and dominance) of variance components contributed by the QTLs.

Preliminary evaluation of dual wavelength phased array imaging on neonatal brain function

Imaging of human tissue using noninvasive techniques has been of great interest in biomedical fields. Optical imaging has attracted a lot of attention because of its portability and economy. The possibility that a highly portable, fast, safe, and affordable imaging system which could obtain interpretable images of brain function for pre- and full-term neonates in a few seconds, has been explored in this article. We have used a sensitive optical topography system, termed phased array, in which a pair of equal-amplitude and antiphase light sources are applied to generate a sharp amplitude null and phase transition plane. This two-wavelength (750 and 830 nm), frequency encoded (50 and 52 MHz) phased array imaging system can indicate the blood concentration and oxygenation changes in blood model studies and during parietal brain activation in neonates. Significant functional responses, particularly to parietal stimulation in normal and pathological states of neonatal brain, have been revealed in our study. The preliminary clinical results are presented in this article.

Survival of hippocampal and cortical neurons in a mixture of MEM+ and B27-supplemented neurobasal medium

Serum-free B-27 supplemented neurobasal (NB) and a 10% fetal bovine serum-supplemented Eagle's minimum essential medium (MEM+) are used to culture rat embryonic hippocampal neurons for different purposes. Although NB medium leads to enhanced cell survival, it contains biological antioxidants and is not suitable for the study of free radical damage and oxidation in cultured neurons. MEM+ without additional antioxidants has been used widely in the study of free radical damage and oxidation, although it does not support optimum neuronal survival in culture. Serum in MEM+ leads to enhanced cell survival but also promotes glial cell proliferation. In this study, we used a new combination medium (NM-2) that consists of both NB and MEM+ for growing primary hippocampal and cortical neuronal cultures. NM-2 enhanced neuronal survival 78.9% for dissociated neurons at a density of 50 cells/mm(2) and 83.1% for 100 cells/mm(2), while decreasing glial cell proliferation to 2-3% and completely inhibiting oligodendrocytes. The NM-2 minimized the effectiveness of antioxidants in the medium to the neurotoxin 4-hydroxynonenal. It also decreased neuronal clumping and provided a more even distribution of neurons. Neurons survived for 4 weeks in NM-2 without changing the original medium. NM-2 provides a good environment for studies of free radical damage and oxidation of neurons. The combination incorporates the best of both NB and MEM+ that results in high neuron survival rate, low glial cell proliferation, reduced antioxidant level, and provides relatively pure cultures of hippocampal and cortical neurons.

Quantitative study of basic fibroblast growth factor in vitreous with proliferative vitreoretinopathy

OBJECTIVE

To quantitatively study basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the vitreous of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) in order to understand the role of bFGF in the development of PVR.

METHOD

High sensitive sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique (ELISA) was used to measure bFGF level in vitreous of normal eyes, the eyes of PVR-C or PVR-D grade, eyes of vitreous hemorrhage and the serum levels of bFGF in PVR-D patients.

RESULTS

The levels of bFGF in the vitreous were: median 5.20 ng/L, quartile 15.47 ng/L in 20 normal eyes; median 3.12 ng/L, quartile 10.48 ng/L in 35 PVR-C eyes; median 46.56 ng/L, quartile 113.96 ng/L in 26 PVR-D eyes; median 1.40 ng/L, quartile 6.25 ng/L in 25 vitreous hemorrhage eyes. The vitreous bFGF level in PVR-D group was significantly higher than that in the normal group, PVR-C group and vitreous hemorrhage group (P < 0.01). The mean of serum-bFGF level was 18.33 +/- 3.39 ng/L. The vitreous bFGF level of PVR-D group was significantly higher than serum-bFGF level (P < 0.01). And the vitreous-bFGF level in PVR-D group was significantly higher in larger retinal tear subgroup.

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that bFGF is involved in the development of PVR.

Decreased base excision repair and increased helicase activity in Alzheimer's disease brain

Recent studies show an increase in DNA oxidation in brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and decreased levels of the free repair product in CSF in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This is a study of the activity of the base excision repair enzyme, 8-oxoguanine glycosylase (responsible for the excision of 8-oxoguanine), and DNA helicase activity in nuclear protein samples from four brain regions of 10 AD and eight age-matched control subjects. Statistically significant (p<0.05) decreases in 8-oxoguanine glycosylase activity were observed in the nuclear fraction of AD hippocampal and parahippocampal gyri (HPG), superior and middle temporal gyri (SMTG), and inferior parietal lobule (IPL). DNA helicase activity was elevated in all nuclear samples except the IPL with statistically significant elevations in the HPG and CER. Statistically significant depletion of helicase activity was observed in the nuclear fraction in AD IPL. Our results demonstrate that the repair capabilities for 8-oxoguanine are decreased in AD. The modest increase in DNA helicase activity in some brain regions in AD may interfere with base excision repair mechanisms. Overall, the decreased repair of DNA damage could be involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration in AD.

Decreased thioredoxin and increased thioredoxin reductase levels in Alzheimer's disease brain

Increasing evidence supports the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Both in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate that thioredoxin (Trx) and thioredoxin reductase (TR), the enzyme responsible for reduction of oxidized Trx, have protective roles against cytotoxicity mediated by the generation of ROS. The present study measured levels of Trx protein and activities of TR in the brain in AD compared with control subjects, and evaluated the possible protective role of TR and Trx against amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) toxicity in neuronal cultures. Analysis of Trx protein levels in 10 AD and 10 control subjects demonstrated a general decrease in all AD brain regions studied, with statistically significant decreases in the amygdala (p <.05), hippocampus/parahippocampal gyrus (p <.05), and marginally significant (p <.10) depletions in the superior and middle temporal gryi. Thioredoxin reductase activity levels were increased in all AD brain regions studied with statistically significant increases occurring in AD amygdala (p =.01) and cerebellum (p =.007). To investigate the protective effects of Trx and TR against Abeta-induced toxicity, primary hippocampal cultures were treated with Trx or TR in combination with toxic doses of Abeta. Treatment of cultures with Trx led to a statistically significant concentration-dependent enhancement in cell survival against Abeta-mediated toxicity as did treatment with TR. Together, these data suggest that, although TR is protective against Abeta-mediated toxicity, the increase observed in AD brain offers no protection due to the significant decrease in Trx levels. This decrease in the antioxidant Trx-TR system may contribute to the increased oxidative stress and subsequent neurodegeneration observed in the brain in AD.

Acute cigarette smoke-induced connective tissue breakdown is mediated by neutrophils and prevented by alpha1-antitrypsin

Recent studies have suggested that macrophage-derived metalloproteases are the critical mediators of cigarette smoke-induced emphysema, in contrast to earlier hypotheses that this process was mediated by neutrophil elastase. To determine whether smoke can acutely induce connective tissue breakdown in the lung and to examine the mediators of this process, we exposed C57-BL/6 mice to whole cigarette smoke and used high-performance liquid chromatography to examine lavage fluid levels of desmosine (DES), a marker of elastin breakdown, and hydroxyproline (HP), a marker of collagen breakdown. Smoke produced a dose-response increase in lavage neutrophils, DES, and HP, but not lavage macrophages (MACs). This effect was evident by 6 h after exposure to two cigarettes. Pretreatment with an antibody against polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) reduced lavage PMNs to undetectable levels after smoke exposure, did not affect MAC numbers, and prevented increases in lavage DES and HP. Intraperitoneal injection of a commercial human alpha1-antitrypsin (alpha1AT) 24 h before smoke exposure increased serum alpha1AT levels approximately 3-fold and completely abolished smoke-induced connective tissue breakdown as well as the increase in lavage PMNs, again without affecting MAC numbers. We conclude that in this model cigarette smoke can acutely induce connective tissue breakdown and that this effect is mediated by neutrophil-derived serine proteases, most likely neutrophil elastase. Exogenous alpha1AT is protective and appears to inhibit both matrix degradation and PMN influx, suggesting that alpha1AT has anti-inflammatory as well as antiproteolytic effects in this system.

30-year retrospective review of frontal sinus fractures: The Charity Hospital experience

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The optimal method of treating frontal sinus fractures has remained undetermined. The purpose of this retrospective review is to compare the mechanism of injury, diagnostic techniques, methods of fracture management, complications, and long-term results in different types of frontal sinus fractures.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Over 4,000 records of patients with frontal bone or skull fractures, treated during a 30-year period in an academic nonprofit tertiary Level I trauma center, were considered. From these, the authors selected 150 patients with frontal sinus fractures--with complete records and adequate follow-up time--and conducted a retrospective review.

RESULTS AND/OR CONCLUSIONS

For anterior fractures, observation alone had a high rate of complications (18.2%). Reconstruction with obstruction of the nasofrontal ostia by vascularized tissue was found to be the best treatment, followed by osteogenesis (9.1%) or obliteration (7.7%). Cranialization was the safest form of management for posterior table fractures that were either comminuted or involved the nasofrontal ostia. The preferred obliteration materials were vascularized flaps, cancellous bone, temporalis muscle, and fat; hydroxyapatite cement was a good alloplastic alternative.

[Study on the reversal of cancer multidrug resistance by Chinese medicine Fw13-te41 in nude mice]

We have reported that three reversal agents were sifted out from 32 Chinese galenicals through a series of cell culture tests. Among them, Fw13-te41 has the best effect of reversal cancer multidrug resistance (MDR) in vitro. In this study, the reversal action of Fw13-te41 in vivo was studied on the animal model of nude mice with human leukemia k562/ADR. Twenty SPF BALB/c-nu/nu nude mice with xenograft tumor were randomly divided into the control group (n = 6), VCR group [intraperitoneal (i.p.) VCR 250 micrograms/week, n = 5], VCR + Fw13-te41 group (i.p VCR 250 micrograms/week + Fw13-te41 0.2 ml/day, equivalent to crude drug 10 g/kg, n = 5), and Fw13-te41 group (i.p Fw13-te41 0.2 ml/day, equivalent to crude drug 10 g/kg, n = 4). After 18 days, the rate of tumor inhibition (RTI) of VCR group was 19.79%, but the RTI of VCR + Fw13-te41 group was as high as 86.95% (P < 0.05). There results demonstrate that the Chinese medicine Fw13-te41 has an evident reversal action of malignancy MDR in vitro and in vivo.

Cholesterol accumulation in tissues of the Niemann-pick type C mouse is determined by the rate of lipoprotein-cholesterol uptake through the coated-pit pathway in each organ

Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) disease is associated with the accumulation of unesterified cholesterol in nearly all tissues and with progressive neurodegeneration. A murine model of this disease, the NPC mouse, was used to determine whether this sequestered cholesterol represented sterol carried in low density lipoprotein (LDL) and chylomicrons (CMs) taken up into the tissues through the coated-pit pathway. By 7 weeks of age, the sterol pool in the NPC mice had increased from 2,165 to 5,669 mg/kg body weight because of the daily sequestration of 67 mg of cholesterol per kg in the various organs. This was 7-fold greater than the rate of accumulation in control mice. The rate of LDL clearance in the NPC mouse was normal (523 ml/day per kg) and accounted for the uptake of 78 mg/day per kg of cholesterol in LDL whereas 8 mg/day per kg was taken up from CMs. Deletion of the LDL receptor in NPC mice altered the concentration of unesterified cholesterol in every organ in a manner consistent with the changes also observed in the rate of LDL cholesterol uptake in those tissues. Similarly, altering the flow of cholesterol to the liver through the CM pathway changed the concentration of unesterified cholesterol in that organ. Together, these observations strongly support the conclusion that, in NPC disease, it is cholesterol carried in LDL and CMs that is sequestered in the tissues and not sterol that is newly synthesized and carried in high density lipoprotein.

Leptin, a palatability molecule ? – A Review

Abstract. Leptin is a hormone involved in the regulation of feed intake and energy balance in animals. The expression and secretion of leptin is highly correlated with body fat mass and adipocyte size. The regulation of leptin is integrated into a broad regulatory network including other hormones and cytokines. Leptin's effects on food intake and energy expenditure is thought to be mediated centrally via various neurotransmitters. Peripheral hormones, including insulin and glucocorticoids, stimulate the expression of leptin. While leptin action has been well studied in rodents and humans, its role in farm animals remains to be determined in relation to feed intake and energy metabolism. Leptin may play a role in the regulation of regional fat distribution. The deposition of intramuscular fat (marbling) is positively correlated with the palatability of beef and, therefore, investigations into the mechanisms underlying fat aecretion in this depot are underway. Studying the relationship between leptin and lipid metabolizing enzymes may provide us with clues on the mechanisms governing site-specific fat aecretion in farm animals.

Curative external beam radiotherapy for prostate carcinoma: results in 231 patients treated in Lyon

BACKGROUND

Radical prostatectomy and external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) are the mainstays of treatment of prostate cancer with curative intent. The possible development of radiation proctitis and rectal bleeding are major concerns when using EBRT. Recently, conformal radiotherapy has been introduced in an attempt to improve the results of EBRT. This paper presents an overview of the Lyon experience using standard EBRT with doses of 68 Gy, and reports the preliminary results of a study of conformal radiotherapy with dose escalation.

METHODS

From 1981 to 1995, EBRT was used to treat 231 patients with localized adenocarcinomas of the prostate. The dose of EBRT was 68 Gy/34 fractions/7 weeks using a four-field box technique with 18-MeV photons. A feasibility study of conformal radiotherapy was commenced in 1996. To date, 145 patients have been treated with doses escalating from 68 to 80 Gy.

RESULTS

In the EBRT group of 231 patients, the 5-year overall survival was 80.3%. Anorectal function was scored as excellent in 90% of patients. Rectal bleeding was seen in 14.3% of patients and required local treatment in only seven. In the group treated with conformal radiotherapy, the preliminary results indicate good early tolerance.

CONCLUSION

The curative treatment of patients with prostate cancer using EBRT gives good long-term survival with low rectal toxicity. Conformal radiotherapy appears to be an interesting approach to improve local control and perhaps survival.

[Establishment of a heterologous graft model for human breast infiltrating duct carcinoma in nude mice]

A heterologous graft model for human breast infiltrating duct carcinoma is reported in this paper. The grafts derived from an infiltration duct carcinoma of a patient's right breast and her metastatic lymphnode mass were transplanted into the breast pads of nude mice in 1996, and the carcinoma masses were found in breast pads 31 days later. By now, the grafts of carcinoma have been transplanted into nude mice for 15 passages with a full success in 59 mice and with the biological characteristics of the original breast carcinoma. This heterologous graft model was established for the first time in China and the results suggest it be a good model for further research of breast carcinoma.

[Soluble IL-2 receptor levels in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy]

OBJECTIVE

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels in sera with Graves' ophthmopathy was investigated for its relationship to the clinical manifestations and therapeutic effects.

METHODS

sIL-2R levels were measured in sera of 41 patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy which had not yet received specific treatment for their ophthalmopathy and euthyroid during the entire study period and 49 normal subjects.

RESULTS

In untreated patients, the mean levels of sIL-2R were significantly higher than those in the normal subjects (P < 0.001). There was no difference in the levels of sIL-2R between patients with hyperthyriod Graves' ophthalmopathy and those with enthyroid Graves' ophthalmopathy. The levels of sIL-2R in patients with response for corticosteoids treatment were significantly higher than that in patients with non-response for corticosteoids treatment (P < 0.001), but there were no differences between the each class present in the NOSPECS classification of ophthalmopathy. 12 patients with response for corticosreoids had lower sIL-2R levels After 3-month treatment than pertreatment.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that elevated sIL-2R levels in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy may be derived from ophthalmopathy itself, e.g. intra-orbital activated lymphocytes, and serve as a useful parameter to evaluate clinical activity score and predict value of corticosteoids treatment outcome.

Evaluation of a safety educational programme for the prevention of pesticide poisoning

The causal factors of pesticide poisoning in spraymen usually include sloppy handling, leakage of sprayers and a lack of personal protection, as well as of a knowledge about pesticide toxicity. This paper outlines the results of a safety educational programme to prevent pesticide poisoning among Chinese village spraymen in 1991 and 1992. The programme consisted of two parts: an interview of 3,286 trained subjects who were surveyed before and after the education courses, and a survey on the prevalence of pesticide poisoning among spraymen in 10 villages in 1991 and 1992, respectively. The results showed a general improvement in the knowledge about pesticide toxicity and safe use among the surveyed subjects. The prevalence of pesticide poisoning among the surveyed spraymen decreased from 1.05% in 1991 to 0.25% in 1992. Moreover, a 68.2% reduction of pesticide poisoning cases was observed in 10 villages in 1992. The success of the safety educational programme proved that education is an effective measure for preventing pesticide poisoning.

[Effect of pneumothorax on membrane diffusing capacity and pulmonary capillary blood volume]

OBJECTIVE

Investigating the effect of pulmonary membrane diffusing capacity(Dm) and pulmonary capillary blood volume(Vc) on carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) in patients with pneumothorax before and after treatment, and clarifying the mechanism of hypoxemia due to pulmonary reexpansion.

METHODS

Pulmonary function test, DLCO, Dm, Vc and arterial blood gas analysis were determined in 21 cases of pneumothorax before treatment and one week after pulmonary reexpansion.

RESULTS

DLCO, Dm, Vc, partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2), alveolar ventilation volume (VA), percentage of forced expiratory volume in one second to predicted value, and the ratio of dead space ventilation (VD) to tidal volume (VT) [VD/VT] were (64 +/- 4)%, (66 +/- 5)%, (70 +/- 5)%, (83.7 +/- 2.3) mm Hg, (4.4 +/- 0.2) L, (59 +/- 4)%, 0.340 +/- 0.020 respectively before treatment. After pulmonary reexpansion, they respectively were (71 +/- 4)%, (74 +/- 4)%, (80 +/- 6)%, (89.4 +/- 1.5) mm Hg, (5.40 +/- 0.20) L, (79 +/- 4)%, 0.210 +/- 0.010. They were significantly improved after treatment. Except for Dm, they were statistically different. Between Dm, Vc and DLCO, significant positive correlations were found during pneumothorax and one week after pulmonary reexpansion, especially correlation between Dm and DLCO was more apparent. Between Dm and DLCO significant positive correlations (r2 = 0.862, P < 0.0001; r2 = 0.728, P < 0.001) were found in study patients before and after treatment. So were Vc and DLCO (r1 = 0.643, P < 0.01; r2 = 0.52, P < 0.05). The correlation coefficient of Dm was markedly larger than Vc.

CONCLUSIONS

The decrease in pulmonary diffusing function is related to Dm and Vc during pneumothorax, while decrease of Dm plays a major role. The hypoxemia is still presented in a period of time after pulmonary reexpansion, which is not related to VA and abnormality of ventilation-perfusion ratio (V/Q). It is chiefly due to unrecovery of Dm.

Protection against amyloid beta peptide toxicity by zinc

Zinc (Zn) is an essential element in normal development and biology, although it is toxic at high concentrations. Recent studies show that Zn at high concentrations accelerates aggregation of amyloid beta peptide (Abeta), the major component of senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study reports the effect of varying Zn concentrations on Abeta toxicity and the mechanism by which low concentrations function in a protective role. At Abeta/Zn molar ratios of 1:0.1 and 1:0.01, Zn produces significant protection against Abeta toxicity in cultured primary hippocampal neurons. At higher concentrations (1:1 molar ratio), Zn offers no protection or enhances Abeta toxicity. The protective effect of Zn against Abeta toxicity is due in part to the enhancement of Na+/K+ ATPase activity which prevents the disruption of calcium homeostasis and cell death associated with Abeta toxicity. Analysis of Na+/K+ ATPase activity in cultured rat cortical cells indicated that Zn exposure alone afforded a 20% increase in enzyme activity, although the differences were statistically insignificant. However, in cortical cultures exposed to a toxic dose of Abeta (50 microM), Zn at concentrations of 5 and 0.5 microM led to significant increases in Na+/K+ ATPase activity compared with levels in cells treated with Abeta alone. Zn at a 1:1 molar ratio (50 microM) led to a significant decrease in enzyme activity. Together, these data suggest that Zn functions as a double-edged sword, affording protection against Abeta at low concentrations and enhancing toxicity at high concentrations.

Immunological studies on the cellular phenotype involved in corneal allograft rejection

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the cellular phenotype involved in corneal allograft rejection using wholemounts analysis.

METHODS

Corneal transplantation was performed between Sprague Dawley (SD) and Wistar rats. Corneal wholemounts were prepared from control rats and those after corneal transplantation on day 7 and 12. Immunohistochemical stain was performed on these wholemounts using monoclonal antibodies to transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF-beta 1), CD3, CD4, CD8, B lymphocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen.

RESULTS

Corneal allograft rejection started on day 7 and reached its maximum from 10 to 14 days after corneal transplantation. Presence of TGF-beta 1-, CD3-, CD4-, CD8-, MHC class II-positive cells, macrophages and dendritic cells were noted at the limbus of both SD rats and Wistar rats. No positive cell was present in the central cornea of normal rats. All positive cells but B lymphocyte were noted in large numbers in the cornea after corneal allograft transplantation. Marked staining for TGF-beta 1 was noted during graft rejection.

CONCLUSION

The corneal wholemounts technique provides a good visualization for the cellular phenotype involved in corneal allograft rejection. A variety of cells including TGF-beta 1, CD3, CD4, CD8, MHC class II antigen positive cells, macrophages and dendritic cells are involved in corneal allograft rejection. TGF-beta 1-positive cell might be an important immunosuppressive factor after corneal transplantation and also involved in the induction of fibrosis.

Sib mating designs for mapping quantitative trait loci

The power to separate the variance of a quantitative trait locus (QTL) from the polygenic variance is determined by the variability of genes identical by descent (IBD) at the QTL. This variability may increase with inbreeding. Selfing, the most extreme form of inbreeding, increases the variability of the IBD value shared by siblings, and thus has a higher efficiency for QTL mapping than random mating. In self-incompatible organisms, sib mating is the closest form of inbreeding. Similar to selfing, sib mating may also increase the power of QTL detection relative to random mating. In this study, we develop an IBD-based method under sib mating designs for QTL mapping. The efficiency of sib mating is then compared with random mating. Monte Carlo simulations show that sib mating designs notably increase the power for QTL detection. When power is intermediate, the power to detect a QTL using full-sib mating is, on average, 7% higher than under random mating. In addition, the IBD-based method proposed in this paper can be used to combine data from multiple families. As a result, the estimated QTL parameters can be applied to a wide statistical inference space relating to the entire reference population.

Cholesterol balance and metabolism in mice with loss of function of Niemann-Pick C protein

Type C Niemann-Pick disease is due to a mutation in Niemann-Pick C (NPC) protein, a putative determinant of intracellular cholesterol transport. This study quantifies cholesterol balance in vivo across all tissues in mice with this defect. Cholesterol balance in the heterozygous animal is normal, but in the homozygous mouse the whole animal cholesterol pool expands continuously from birth, reaching 5, 442 mg/kg at 7 wk. The size of this pool in each organ is proportional to the rate at which each tissue clears low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Despite this expansion, however, cholesterol synthesis is increased so that whole animal synthesis equals 180 mg. day-1. kg-1. Forcing additional cholesterol into the liver through the clathrin-coated pit pathway increases the hepatic cholesterol pool in control mice, all of which is esterified, while there is a much greater increase in this pool in mutant mice, all of which is unesterified. These findings are consistent with the view that there is a block in sterol movement from the lysosome to the sites of regulation in NPC disease and have important implications for understanding the function of the NPC protein in intracellular cholesterol metabolism, in general, and in the brain, in particular.

Role of neutrophils and alpha1-antitrypsin in coal- and silica-induced connective tissue breakdown

Mineral dusts produce emphysema, and administration of dust to rats results in the rapid appearance of desmosine and hydroxyproline in lavage fluid, confirming that dusts directly induce connective tissue breakdown. To examine the role of neutrophils and alpha1-antitrypsin (alpha1-AT) in this process, we instilled silica or coal into normal rats or rats that had been pretreated with antiserum against neutrophils. One day after dust exposure, lavage fluid neutrophils and desmosine and hydroxyproline levels were all elevated; treatment with antiserum against neutrophils reduced neutrophils by 75%, desmosine by 40-50%, and hydroxyproline by 25%. By 7 days, lavage fluid neutrophils and desmosine level had decreased, whereas macrophages and hydroxyproline level had increased. By ELISA analysis, lavage fluid alpha1-AT levels were increased four- to eightfold at both times. On Western blot, some of the alpha1-AT appeared as degraded fragments, and by HPLC analysis, 5-10% of the methionine residues were oxidized. At both times, lavage fluid exhibited considerably elevated serine elastase inhibitory capacity and also showed elevations in metalloelastase activity. We conclude that, in this model, connective tissue breakdown is initially driven largely by neutrophil-derived proteases and that markedly elevated levels of functional alpha1-AT do not prevent breakdown, thus providing in vivo support for the concept of quantum proteolysis proposed by Liou and Campbell (T. G. Liou and E. J. Campbell. Biochemistry 34: 16171-16177, 1995). Macrophage-derived proteases may be of increasing importance over time, especially in coal-treated animals.

Decreased glutathione transferase activity in brain and ventricular fluid in Alzheimer's disease

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the levels of glutathione transferase (GST), a protective enzyme against aldehydes, and especially 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) in the brain and ventricular CSF of autopsied AD and normal control subjects.

BACKGROUND

Studies have implicated increased levels of oxidative stress in the brain in the pathogenesis of AD. Decreased levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids and increased levels of markers of lipid peroxidation have been reported in the brain in AD, particularly in areas severely affected in the disease. HNE, one marker of lipid peroxidation, is neurotoxic in neuronal culture and in vivo and is elevated in AD brain and CSF.

METHODS

We measured levels of GST activity and protein in multiple brain regions and ventricular CSF in short-postmortem-interval AD patients and age-matched prospectively evaluated control subjects.

RESULTS

A decrease in GST activity in all brain areas was observed in AD compared with controls with significant decreases in the amygdala, hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, and nucleus basalis of Meynert. Levels of GST protein also were depleted in most brain regions in AD. A significant decrease in GST activity and protein levels was also found in ventricular CSF in AD.

CONCLUSION

Reduced levels of GST, a protective mechanism against HNE, may have a role in the pathogenesis of neuron degeneration in AD.

Identification of T cells that respond to serovar-specific regions of the Chlamydia trachomatis major outer membrane protein in persons with serovar E infection

Protection from Chlamydia trachomatis infection is serovar-specific and T cell-dependent; however, the T cell epitopes identified to date have not been serovar-specific. The chlamydial major outer membrane protein (MOMP) contains serovar-specific B cell epitopes in four regions of the molecule whose amino acid sequence varies among serovars, the variable segments (VS). Serovar-specific T cell epitopes were sought by examining proliferation of blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from Chlamydia-infected patients in response to VS peptides of serovar E MOMP. Serovar E-specific peptides from VS1, VS2, and VS4 stimulated PBMC to a greater extent in serovar E-infected than in non-E-infected subjects. Peptides containing constant regions of MOMP were recognized equally by all infected persons. The observed responses were attributable to T cells. T cell recognition of serovar-specific regions of MOMP is common and may contribute to the serovar-specific protection previously observed.

Glutathione transferase protects neuronal cultures against four hydroxynonenal toxicity

Peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), particularly arachidonic acid, leads to the generation of reactive aldehydes, including 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE). Recent studies have demonstrated an increase in lipid peroxidation, a decline in PUFA, as well as an increase in HNE, and a decrease in glutathione transferase (GST) in the brain in Alzheimer's disease. Four-hydroxynonenal is toxic to cultured neurons and to the brain of experimental animals. Although glutathione (GSH) has been shown to offer protection against HNE, no enzymatic system has been described which serves to detoxify these reactive species in neuronal cultures. Here, we describe the use of GST in the protection of neuronal cultures against HNE toxicity. Glutathione transferases are a superfamily of enzymes functioning to catalyze the nucleophilic attack of GSH on electrophilic groups on a second substrate. These enzymes function efficiently with 4-hydroxyalkenals, particularly HNE, as substrates. To investigate the protective effects of GST against HNE, primary hippocampal cultures were pretreated with GST before exposure to toxic doses of HNE which led to a statistically significant enhancement in cell survival. Pretreatment of cultures with equivalent levels of heat inactivated GST or antibody against GST did not offer protection against HNE. Control cultures pretreated with GST also demonstrated enhanced survival compared with control cells receiving no pretreatment. These data suggest that GST may be an important source of protection against the toxic effects of HNE.

Effect of pneumothorax on pleurodesis induced with talc in rabbits

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine if a small pneumothorax would influence the pleurodesis resulting from talc instillation.

METHODS

Sixty rabbits received an intrapleural injection of 400 mg/kg talc slurry. One half also received 10 mL of air intrapleurally after the talc. Ten rabbits in each group were killed 2, 14, and 28 days after instillation.

RESULTS

Two days after the injection, the mean volume of air in the animals that had received the air was 7.5+/-0.4 mL. There was no air present in any other rabbits. The volume of pleural fluid and the pleural fluid glucose, protein, cell count, and differential were similar in both groups on day 2, while the LDH level was significantly higher in the air group (p<0.05). The degree of gross adhesions and microscopic fibrosis was similar in both groups and increased with time.

CONCLUSIONS

A small pneumothorax does not decrease the efficacy of talc pleurodesis in our experimental model. These results suggest that the presence of a small amount of intrapleural air is not a contraindication to talc pleurodesis in humans.

In vivo time course of morphological changes and DNA degradation during the degeneration of castration-induced apoptotic prostate cells

The in vivo time course of the morphological changes and DNA degradation in castration-induced apoptotic prostate cells was studied from the earliest to the latest stage of the degeneration process. To study this problem, we first induced apoptotic prostate cells in rats by castration for 3 days and then promptly and continuously blocked the death of healthy prostatic cells in the castrated rats by in vivo testosterone replacement. Because testosterone replacement could not stop the irreversible lysis of already damaged prostate cells, apoptotic cells at different stages of the degeneration process were eliminated sequentially from the prostate after the healthy prostate cells had been protected. Prostate cells at the earliest stage of apoptosis at the time when the castrated rats received testosterone replacement disappeared last. By tracing the morphological and DNA degradation of apoptotic cells after hormone treatment, we estimated the time course of prostate cell death from the early to the final stage. In the morphological evolution of apoptotic prostate cells, the clumping of nuclear chromatin, the degeneration of cytoplasm and the involution of the cell surface occurred and progressed simultaneously, resulting in the rapid formation of apoptotic bodies that were gradually digested by other cells. The DNA ladders of apoptotic cells were progressively cleaved into a mononucleosomal subunit that was further degraded at an additional site, generating a heterogeneous population of small nucleotides. The final digestion of DNA fragments occurred within the apoptotic bodies. The whole course of prostate cell death after castration took about 44 h.

Serial observations after high dose talc slurry in the rabbit model for pleurodesis

The mechanisms leading to a pleurodesis after the intrapleural injection of a sclerosing agent are not completely understood. The purpose of the present study was to make serial observations over 28 days on the pleural fluid findings and the gross and microscopic changes in the pleura after talc slurry administered intrapleurally at a high dose. Sixty-six rabbits received 400 mg/kg talc slurry. Ten to 12 rabbits were sacrificed 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, and 28 days after the intrapleural injection. At sacrifice the pleural fluid was measured and analyzed, and the pleural surfaces were studied grossly and microscopically. The intrapleural injection of 400 mg/kg talc slurry resulted in an acute exudative pleural effusion that persisted for 4 days. There was a progressive increase in the gross and microscopic fibrosis over the 28 days. Talc was present at the time of sacrifice in all animals. At 28 days there was a clinically significant pleurodesis in all rabbits; pleurodesis was not observed before this time. From this study we conclude that the intrapleural injection of 400 mg/kg talc slurry leads to an acute exudative pleural effusion and clinically significant pleurodesis that is present on day 28 but not day 14. It appears that the production of a pleurodesis requires higher doses of talc in rabbits without a chest tube than in humans with a chest tube.

[Observation of antiarrhythmic effects of Cinnamomum migao H. W. Li on experimental arrhythmia]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of Cinnamomum migao on experimental arrhythmia.

METHOD

Arrhythmic models of mice, rabbits, guinea pigs and rats were built using chloroform(Chl), adrenalin(Adr), strophanthin-K (Spt-K) and barium chloride (BaCl2). The affected animals were divided randomly into three groups: control group, Cinnamomum migao (CV-3) group and mexiletine (MXL) group, so as to observe and compare the antiarrhythmic effects.

RESULT

CV-3 could reduce the incidence of ventricular fibrillation caused by ch1 in mice and the ventricular tachycardia induced by Adr in rabbits, delay the onset time of this arrhythmia, increase the arrhythmic doses of Spt-K in guinea pigs, reduce the incidence of some arrhythmia caused by BaCl2 in rats and slow down their heart rate.

CONCLUSION

CV-3 has obvious antiarrhythmic effects on experimental arrhythmia. The mechanism of these effects is probably related to the arrest of the intraflow of Na+, Ca2+ in the cardiac cells and the depression of their cardiac autoarrhythmicity and conductivity.

[Immunohistochemical studies on wholemounts of the cornea and iris-ciliary body after corneal transplantation]

OBJECTIVE

To study the phenotype of the cells involved in the pathogenesis of allograft rejection after corneal transplantation.

METHODS

Wholemounts of the cornea and iris-ciliary body were isolated and prepared from normal rats and those after penetrating corneal transplantation. Immunohistochemical stainings were carried out on these wholemounts using monoclonal antibodies to CD3 (T cell), CD4 [T-helper (Th) cell], CD8 [T-suppressor (Ts) cell], macrophages, dendritic cells, B lymphocytes, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta).

RESULTS

All the cells mentioned above except B lymphocytes were positive and present in a small number in the peripheral cornea and limbus of normal rats. A massive influx of CD3, CD4, CD8 positive cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, MHC class II and TGF-beta positive cells not only into cornea but also into the iris was observed 7 days after allograft corneal transplantation. Whereas no B cell was found in the allograft. Such a cellular response was not found in the rats in which corneal transplantation with autologous cornea was performed.

CONCLUSION

T cells, Th cells, Ts cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, MHC class II positive cells and TGF-beta positive cells are involved in the pathogenesis of corneal allograft transplantation. The involvement of the iris and ciliary body may promote or aggravate the allograft rejection.

[Serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels in uveitis]

PURPOSE

To investigate the relationship between serum SIL-2R levels and uveitis.

METHODS

SIL-2R levels were measured in sera of 64 patients with active uveitis by ELISA assay, 61 healthy subjects as control.

RESULTS

Serum SIL-2R levels in the patients with active uveitis were significantly higher than that in the controls, but there were no significant difference among anterior uveitis, intermediate uveitis, Behcet disease and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome. After therapy the serum SIL-2R levels were obviously decreased.

CONCLUSION

SIL-2R Levels in serum correlate with activity of uveitis.

Reconstruction of the penis after severe injury

Since 1986, five cases of one-stage reconstruction of the injured penis using microsurgical techniques have been successfully carried out. A piece of ilium based upon the deep circumflex iliac vessels is used to form the penis prop and a skin flap of the forearm is transferred to form the urethra and foreskin to encircle the prop. Then the vessels and nerves of the skin flap of the forearm are anastomosed with the vessels and nerves of the thigh. Postoperative follow-up showed the constructed penis to be satisfactory in contour, allow free flow of urine, provide cutaneous sensory recovery and satisfactory sexual function in four married patients. Radiography showed the bony structure of the penis prop to be normal. This method has advantages over the one-stage procedure in terms of contour, urinary flow, satisfactory sexual function and long-term benefits. Most of all it has solved the problem of poor blood supply into the reconstructed penis prop.