[Clinicopathologic changes in leukemic lung lesions]

Leukemic lung lesions are complex and various. The authors studied the clinicopathologic changes in 104 autopsied leukemic cases collected from 1953 to 1990. 22.1% of the cases had the symptoms of respiratory tract admission and 40.4% developed the symptoms before death. 12.8% of the patients were diagnosed with X-ray to have tuberculosis and infections on admission and 42% cases have these changes in the terminal phase. The main pathological changes are pleural effusion, pleural adhesion, intrapulmonary infections, hemorrhage and Myleran lung. The rate of leukemic cell infiltration in lungs was 96.2% and the infiltration was mainly interstitial. Intravascular leukemic cell stasis was found in 91.3% of the cases. The pathological changes in each case were usually multiple and 84.6% of the cases had more than two kinds of changes. We compared the X-ray diagnoses with pathological ones and it was shown that complete coincidence was present only in 2.9%, partial coincidence in 58.8% and no coincidence in 38.3% of the cases.

Differentiation of human bone marrow osteogenic stromal cells in vitro: induction of the osteoblast phenotype by dexamethasone

Human bone marrow stromal cells were examined for their osteogenic potential in an in vitro cell culture system. Dexamethasone (Dex) treatment induced morphological transformation of these cells from an elongated to a more cuboidal shape, increased their alkaline phosphatase activity and cAMP responses to PTH and prostaglandin E2, and was essential for mineralization of the extracellular matrix. Dex-induced differentiation of human bone marrow stromal cells was apparent after 2-3 days of treatment and reached a maximum at 7-14 days, as judged by alkaline phosphatase activity, although induction of osteocalcin by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 was attenuated by Dex. Withdrawal of Dex resulted in an enhancement of the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-induced secretion of osteocalcin, whereas alkaline phosphatase activity and the cAMP response to PTH remained at prewithdrawal levels. The steady state mRNA level of osteonectin was not affected by Dex. Our results, which demonstrate that Dex conditions the differentiation of human bone marrow osteogenic stromal cells into osteoblast-like cells, support the hypothesis of a permissive effect of glucocorticoids in ensuring an adequate supply of mature osteoblast populations. Furthermore, the established human bone marrow stromal cell culture provides a good model of an in vitro system to study the regulation of differentiation of human bone osteoprogenitor cells.

[Localization and significance of lysozyme in tuberculosis]

The relationship between expression of lysozyme and tuberculosis lesions was studied in 132 patients. The positive rate of lysozyme expression in 132 tuberculosis cases was 83.3%. Lysozyme was mainly distributed intracellularly, and the positive rates in different types, i.e. in cases with lesions of caseous necrosis, cellular nodes, and fibroid nodes were 90.1%, 79.3% and 63.3% respectively (P < 0.05 between lesions of caseous necrosis and fibroid nodes). The positive rate of lysozyme in cases of infection associated with L-form tubercule bacillus was 64.4%, which was higher in cases with positive L-form antigen than that in antigen negative cases (P < 0.025). The results indicated that expression of lysozyme was rather active, and might be considered as a marker for the prognosis of tuberculosis treatment.

[Investigation of interleukin 2 receptor and T cell subsets in the patients with tuberculous meningitis]

Interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R) on lymphocyte and T cell subsets of peripheral blood(PB), defined by monoclonal antibodies, were studied in 25 patients with tuberculous meningitis. 25 staff members served as PB control. Dynamic changes of IL-2R positive cells and T cell subsets were observed in 10 of 25 patients at sixth week after chemotherapy. IL-2R positive cells showed higher percentages in the patients than in healthy controls. Percentages of CD5and CD4cells were lower than those of healthy control. With chemotherapy, the percentages of CD4cells raised. The results indicated that M. tuberculosis might stimulate T cell to express IL-2R. A lower cell mediated immunity function in the patients with tuberculous meningitis was characterized by CD4 lymphopenia.

[A clinicopathological study of leukemic kidney]

A clinicopathological study of leukemic kidney was carried out by observing the changes of the kidney in 104 autopsied cases of leukemia. The main changes of the leukemic kidney were increase of renal weight, calcinosis of renal tubules, interstitial leukemic cell infiltration, intravascular stasis and renal bleeding. Calcinosis intravascular stasis, renal bleeding as well as hyperuricemia may lead to abnormal urinary findings. The presence and severity of interstitial infiltration have no obvious relation with the level of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and muric acid as well as the abnormal change of the urine. However, the presence of intravascular stasis by leukemic cells are correlated with the disturbance of renal function.

[The analysis of the maxillary complete denture and its underlying supporting tissues with three dimensional finite element method under the vertical occlusal force in centric occlusion]

A 3-dimensional finite element method was employed in this study to investigate the stress and displacement states of the maxillary complete denture and its underlying supporting tissues under the vertical occlusal force in centric occlusion. The calculation results show that the harmful transverse tension stresses within the base are concentrated on the maxillary incisor regions and its palatal area near the polishing surface. Pressure is exerted over most of the area of the jaw bone cortical surface and the compression stress is strongly concentrated over the alveolar ridge. The posterior palatal area of the denture base migrates away from the mucosa membrane and the other parts press the underlying tissues. These results indicate the biomechanical mechanism of the maxillary denture fracture and alveolar ridge resorption.

[Effects of antihypertensive factor from erythrocytes of essential hypertensive subjects on blood pressure in rats]

The effects of antihypertensive factor (AHF) from erythrocytes of essential hypertensive human subjects on the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), renal hypertensive rats (RHR), Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and Wistar rats were examined. Single intraperitoneal injection of AHF (1.6 mg/kg body weight) resulted in a significant decrease in SBP of SHR and RHR. At 10 min postinjection, AHF lowered the SBP in SHR by 34.0 mmHg. SBP recovered to the original level at 3 h. The maximal decrease of SBP in RHR by 92.5 mmHg was at 24h postadministration and the SBP did not recover until the 9th day. When AHF was administered via femoral vein (0.8 mg/kg body weight), the maximal decrease values of the SBP and the DBP were 42.8 and 48.2 mmHg in SHR at 12 min and 38.3 and 42.5 mmHg in RHR at 25 min postinjection respectively. The DBP in Wistar rats decreased considerably (from 96.7 +/- 12.9 to 83.3 +/- 11.7 mmHg) at 5 min postadministration of AHF, but no effect on DBP in WKY rats was observed. The depressor effect of AHF on SBP in RHR was dose-dependent. AHF could also antagonize the pressor effect of norepinephrine in Wistar rats.

Effects of antihypertensive factor from erythrocyte of spontaneously hypertensive rats on the blood pressure and Ca2+ influx of arterial smooth muscle in rats

The effects of a partially purified antihypertensive factor (AHF) from erythrocytes of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) on the blood pressure (BP) and Ca2+ influx of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) in rats were studied. The results indicated that AHF could produce a marked prolonged depressor effect and significantly inhibit the Ca2+ influx dose-dependently on both SHR and renal hypertensive rat (RHR) either in acute or in chronic experiments, but not on normotensive rats. It suggested that the inhibition of Ca2+ influx might be one of the important mechanisms for AHF as an endogenous depressor substance.

Insect resistance of transgenic tobacco plants expressing delta-endotoxin gene of Bacillus thuringiensis

The initiative B.thuringiensis delta-endotoxin (Bt toxin) gene clones TH12 and TH48 contain two different classes of homologous genes, the 5.3 kb class and 6.6 kb class, respectively. Bt toxin genes of both classes, modified at the 5'-end and truncated at the 3'-end, can still be expressed to produce the insecticidal, truncated toxin proteins in E. coli. The modified Bt toxin genes were inserted into the plant binary expression vector pBin 437 (a derivative plasmid of pBin 19) and were transferred into tobacco by Ti plasmid-mediated gene transfer system. Southern blot and DNA slot blot analysis indicate that the Bt toxin genes have been integrated into tobacco genome at a copy number of 1 to 5. Northern blot analysis of polyA+ RNAs from progeny of the transgenic plants revealed that Bt toxin genes of both 5.3 kb and 6.6 kb classes were expressed in transgenic plants, though the transcripts were degraded to RNAs of lower molecular weights. In insecticidal test, 5 plants from the progeny of 5.3 kb class gene-transformed SR1 tobacco plants and 3 plants from those of 6.6 kb class gene-transformed plants were found to be toxic to the testing larvea of H.assulta. In comparison with the control, mortality of the insects fed on transgenic plants reached 40-50% and the growth of the survived insects was remarkably inhibited. These results indicate that the modified Bt genes of the 5.3 kb and 6.6 kb classes were expressed in transgenic plants and could confer on the transgenic plants a new character of insect resistance.

[Scleral buckling operation for primary retinal detachment and secondary acute angle-closure glaucoma]

Of 233 eyes (215 patients) operated on for primary retinal detachment with scleral buckling, 38 eyes (16.3%) developed angle-closure glaucoma. The authors found no correlation between onset of the post-operative IOP elevation and the age of the patient, the preoperative IOP, the width of the chamber angle, refraction, the duration of operation, and the number of operations. The clinical characteristics of this type of glaucoma, its pathogenetic mechanism, and management are discussed.

Corticofugal influences on the responses of bat inferior collicular neurons to sound stimulation

Corticofugal influences on the responses of inferior collicular neurons (IC) to acoustic stimulation were studied by electrical stimulation of the auditory cortex. Among 471 IC neurons isolated, about 26% were affected by cortical stimulation. Responses of 103 (22%) IC neurons were inhibited and 17 (3.6%) were facilitated. The degree of inhibition was dependent upon the amplitude of both auditory and electrical stimuli. Corticofugal inhibition of the response of an IC neuron was likely due to an increase in the neuron's minimum threshold. Inhibitory latency varied with the interstimulus interval. The shortest inhibitory latency of most IC neurons was between 1 and 2 ms. The localization of the point of cortical stimulation was crucial in determining the responses of IC neurons. It is assumed that corticofugal influences on IC neurons are a part of regulatory mechanism in the centrifugal pathway for frequency analysis and acoustic orientation.

[Diagnosis and treatment of hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux]

From 1962 to 1988, 17 patients with esophageal hiatal hernia with or without gastroesophageal reflux were treated. Among these, 14 patients received various types of gastroesophageal junction reconstructive procedures. Experience demonstrated that the clinical studies including gastroesophagography, endoscopy and intraluminal pressure patterns of esophagus are important diagnostic measures. It also seems, to us that intraluminal esophageal pressure monitoring during surgical operation is particularly useful in determining the adequacy of gastroesophageal reconstruction and may provide a dynamic evaluation of function of the gastroesophageal junction area. Some aspects of diagnosis and surgical treatment are discussed in detail.

Biological activity in the repopulating rat spermatocyte after the withdrawal of gossypol treatment: II. The activity for the synthesis of cellular and nuclear basic proteins

The synthesis of cellular and nuclear basic proteins in the first generation of the repopulated pachytene spermatocyte (RPS) and the control pachytene spermatocyte (CPS) was studied by the incorporation of 3H-arginine into proteins. After pretreatment with gossypol for various lengths of time, the synthetic activity for cellular protein in the RPS was slightly inhibited. In comparison to CPS, on the other hand, the inhibition ranged from 12% to 26% (for gossypol pretreatment from 3 to 12 weeks, respectively). However, the synthetic activity for nuclear basic protein in the RPS was drastically reduced in comparison to that of the CPS. The reduction ranged from 46% to 61% in RPS after receiving gossypol pretreatment for 3 to 12 weeks, respectively. Gel electrophoretic separation of the basic protein extracted from the pachytene cell indicated that the major basic proteins are nucleosomal linker and core proteins, i.e., histone H1, H2A,B, H3, and H4, and with a lesser amount of sperm-specific BP and X1 proteins. After gossypol treatment in the RPS, the synthesis of sperm-specific proteins (BP and X1) and core histones (H2A and H4) became drastically reduced. Finally, the effect of gossypol on the ratio of nuclear basic protein to DNA in RPS and the direct correlation of this ratio to nucleosomal spacing and chromatin structure are discussed.

Biological activity in the repopulating rat spermatocyte after the withdrawal of gossypol treatment: I. The activity for DNA synthesis

Mature male rats were treated with gossypol for various lengths of time after which the treatment was stopped to allow the arrested spermatogonia to revive. Fifteen days after withdrawal of the drug treatment, the arrested spermatogonia entered into the meiotic division and then reached the pachytene stage. The meiotic cells derived from the arrested spermatogonia were the first generation of the differentiated germ cells after long-term gossypol treatment. Centrifugal elutriation technique was used to isolate the repopulating pachytene spermatocytes (RPS) or the control pachytene spermatocytes (CPS) from the rat testis with or without receiving gossypol pretreatment. In vitro culture condition for RPS and CPS was established for the synthesis of DNA by the measurement of 3H-thymidine incorporation. The activity for DNA synthesis in RPS was studied and compared to that of the CPS. It was concluded that after gossypol treatment for various times, the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into the cellular thymidine pool of RPS was not affected. However, the activity for DNA synthesis in RPS was significantly lower than that in the CPS. The synthetic activity for DNA was reduced by 14%, 26%, 42%, 40%, and 40% in the RPS for the gossypol pretreatment of 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 weeks, respectively.

[Steroid diabetes: an analysis of 28 cases]

During a survey period of 28 years a total of 449 patients suffering respectively from pemphigus, systemic lupus erythematous and chronic nephritis was admitted to the hospital. Of the 286 patients who received glucocorticoid treatment 28 were found to have steroid diabetes (9.8%). The incidences of steroid diabetes in these diseases were as follows: pemphigus 20% (7/35), systemic lupus erythematous 12.5% (14/112), chronic nephritis 5% (7/139). Two thirds of the diabetic subjects appeared asymptomatic, while the remainder showed polydipsia and polyuria. Renal glucosuria was seen in 3 cases and hyperosmolar hyperglycemia in 4. Blood glucose level in 10 out of the 21 remaining cases was 8.9 +/- 1.5 mmol/L and in the other 11 cases 14.8 +/- 2.4 mmol/L. Generally, the treatment of steroid diabetes is not intricate. Satisfactory improvement was seen in about 80% of the patients if a strict line of therapy against primary diabetes was oriented. In this series 18 patients did well under the treatment either with reduction of steroid or with use of oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin or both. Their blood glucose levels returned to normal and urine sugar disappeared rapidly. Four of the 5 deaths were caused by their primary diseases. One died of pemphigus complicated with infection and shock exhibiting an ante mortem blood glucose level as high as 31.7 mmol/L, obviously hyperosmolar status being the predisposing factor. Due to the fact that most of the steroid diabetic patients were clinically asymptomatic, delayed or misbranded diagnosis was not infrequently seen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Synthesis and testing of quinone-based bis(2,2-dimethyl-1-aziridinyl)phosphinyl carbamates as radiation-potentiating antitumor agents

Two new drug candidates, in which a quinonoid moiety is linked to the reactive bis(2,2-dimethyl-1-aziridinyl)phosphinyl function, have been prepared and tested in vivo for antitumor activity and in vitro as potentiators of the cytotoxic effect of X-irradiation. Without irradiation only moderate effectiveness against leukemia P-388 in mice was exhibited by one of the quinonoid compounds that had sufficient water solubility to be used in the in vivo screening. However, both compounds were shown to potentiate the effect of X-irradiation in vitro by a colony-forming cell culture assay under hypoxic conditions.

Diet and cancer of the stomach: a case-control study in China

A case-control study focusing on the role of single food items was undertaken in the Heilongjiang area, 241 patients with histologically verified stomach cancer and an equal number of controls (with non-neoplastic diseases) matched by age, sex and area of residence being interviewed during a 2-year period. Questions asked covered economic status, occupation, histories of smoking and drinking, diet and dietary habits and disease history. Data concerning the average frequency and quantity of consumption of single food items were obtained by the same interviewer. An inverse association between the consumption of vegetables and stomach cancer was observed whereas high intake of potatoes and of salted and fermented soya paste appeared to be high-risk factors. Specifically, Chinese cabbage plays an important role in reducing the risk of developing stomach cancer.

Antithymocyte globulin stimulates human hematopoietic progenitor cells

Antithymocyte globulin (ATG), a horse antihuman thymus antiserum highly effective in the majority of patients with aplastic anemia, was studied for its in vitro effects on hematopoietic progenitor cells. Marrow cells isolated by an immunoadherence technique with the HPCA-1 (human progenitor cell antigen) monoclonal antibody after removal of contaminating T cells and macrophages formed erythroid colonies in methyl cellulose media in the presence of ATG at concentrations of 25-50 micrograms/ml. ATG also stimulated continuous production of hemoglobin-containing erythroid colonies beyond 35 days of culture when it was added to the culture weekly. ATG also had an indirect effect on myeloid (granulocytic and macrophagic) colony growth in vitro. At a concentration of 10 micrograms/ml, ATG stimulated late but not early myeloid progenitor cells to form mature colonies. This effect required the participation of lymphocytes containing the Leu-11 antigen and macrophages or supernatant fluids made from these two types of cells that had been preincubated with ATG for 3 hr and then cultured for 5 additional days. The supernatant fluids produced in such a manner showed characteristics similar to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and had an activity peak that eluted at a volume corresponding to a 20,000 Da molecular mass protein by high-resolution liquid chromatography.