[A survey of the changes of serum inorganic salts and alkaline phosphatase after jaw fractures]

OBJECTIVE

To study the changes of serum salts and alkaline phosphatase in patients with jaw fractures and its roles.

METHODS

The serum salts and alkaline phosphatase were determined in 40 cases of jaw fracture and 14 health persons.

RESULTS

The results showed that there was no significant difference in Na(+), K(+), Cl(-), Ca(2+) contents between jaw fracture group and normal group (P>0.05), but P(3-) Mg(2+), ALP levels were higher in jaw fracture group than that in normal group (P<0.05). Furthermore the Ca(2+), P(3-), Mg(2+), ALP were higher in multiple or communition fracture of jaw than in single or double line fracture (P<0.05) except Ca content. The level of Ca(2+) was higher in single jaw fracture than in jaw damage with whole body injury (P>0.05) but the levels of P(3-),Mg(2+), ALP were no difference (P>0.05). As the same all the Ca(2+), P(3-), Mg(2+), ALP levels were higher in early stage of fracture than in 4 weeks after fracture (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The contents of Ca(2+) P(3-), Mg(2+) ALP were increased after the axilla mandible were fractured and it has an important regulation role in the activity of osteoblast and osteoclast in healing of fractured jaw.

Minimizing boundary reflections in coupled-domain simulations

We propose a time-dependent boundary condition coupling an atomistic simulation system to linear surroundings such that reflection of elastic waves across the boundary is minimized. Interdomain interactions expressed in terms of memory kernel functions within linear-response theory are treated in a natural dynamical manner, albeit numerically. The approach is shown to give significantly reduced phonon reflections at the domain boundaries relative to existing coupling methods. In addition, we demonstrate that the framework is also effective in the context of static relaxation of displacement fields associated with embedded inhomogeneities.

1376G-->T mutation of G6PD gene in Han and Li nationalities in Hainan, China

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the 1376G-->T mutation of G6PD gene in the cases of G6PD deficiency in the Han nationality and the Li nationality of Hainan, China.

METHODS

DNAs were extracted from the white blood cells of G6PD deficient cases by salt-out method. Allelic specific polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the 1376G-->T mutation.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine Han nationality cases and 32 Li nationality cases were analysed; the 1376G-->T mutation was found in 19 Han cases(32.2%) and 18 Li cases(56.2%).

CONCLUSION

1376G-->T is a common mutation which causes G6PD deficiency in the Han nationality and the Li nationality in Hainan, China. Based on the phylogenetic tree of populations in China, these results indicate that the mutation might occur prior to the divergence of the Han and Li nationalities. It is of significance to study the mutations of G6PD gene in different nationalities in China for elucidating the origin, migration and evolution of the nationalities.

Study of immortalization and malignant transformation of human embryonic esophageal epithelial cells induced by HPV18 E6E7

In order to study the effect of viruses and tumor promoters on the tumorigenicity of the esophagus, human embryonic esophageal epithelial cells were infected with human papilloma virus HPV18 E6E7-AAV in synergy with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) to observe their malignant transformation. The cultured esophageal epithelial cells incubated with HPV18 E6E7-AAV were divided into two groups: the SHEEC1 group was exposed to TPA (5 ng/ml) for 4 weeks at the 5th passage of the cells; the SHEE group served as the control and was cultured in the same medium without TPA. The morphological phenotype, the DNA content during the cell cycle and the chromosomes were analyzed. The tumorigenicity was assessed by colony formation after cultivation in soft agar and transplanting the cells into nude mice. HPV18 E6E7 DNA was assayed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The SHEE group, at its 20th passage, grew as a monolayer with the cells showing anchorage dependence and contact inhibition. The chromosome analysis showed diploidy, and soft-agar cultivation and injection into nude mice showed the cells to be non-tumorigenic. They were therefore immortalized cells. In contrast, the SHEEC1 group (TPA group) showed increased DNA synthesis and a proliferative index that was higher (45%) than that of the SHEE group (34%). The number of large colonies of dense multilayer cells (positively transformed foci) in soft agar was high in SHEEC1 group (4.0%) but low in the SHEE group (0.1%). Tumors resulting from transplantation were observed in all six nude mice injected subcutaneously with cells of the SHEEC1 group but no tumor developed in mice receiving cells of the SHEE group. In both groups of cells, HPV18 E6E7 DNA was positively detected by FISH and PCR. The malignant transformation of human embryonic epithelial cells was induced in vitro by HPV18 E6E7 in synergy with TPA. This is a good evidence for the close relationship between HPV and the etiology and pathogenicity of esophageal carcinoma. It is also a reliable model for studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis of esophageal carcinoma.

[Clinical study on treatment of 40 cases of malignant brain tumor by elemene emulsion injection]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of elemene emulsion injection (EEI) in treating malignant brain tumor.

METHODS

By conducting a retrospective study of 40 patients with brain tumor, 29 of malignant glioma and 11 metastatic tumor, who were treated with EEI from January 1994 to May 1998. EEI 0.4-1.2 g/d was given to each patient by intravenous dripping or/and intravenous infusion by pumps, and directly injected into carotid artery or infused through a carotid artery catheter with pumps. The total dosage of 6-12 g was given in 2-6 therapeutic courses with an interval of 1-1.5 months between courses. The effectiveness of treatment was accessed according to the changes of tumor size, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) and survival time of patients. The control group consisted of 29 cases of malignant brain tumor (22 of primary and 7 of metastatic) was treated with chemotherapy 2-3 therapeutic courses with an interval of 1-1.5 months between them.

RESULTS

(1) In the EEI treated group the mean tumor size was changed from 6.70 cm3 (before treatment) to 2.67 cm3 (after treatment), t = 3.02, P < 0.01, it was reduced by 61%; (2) In the EEI treated group 4 cases was CR, 26 PR, the total effective rate being 75.0% (95% credibility interval +/- 13.4%), while in the control group, 2 of CR, 10 PR, and the total effective rate 41.4% (95% credibility interval +/- 17.9%), the difference between the two groups was significant, chi 2 = 3.867, P < 0.05; (3) KPS decreased in the EEI group from 94.7 scores (before treatment) to 88.2 scores (after treatment), the decrement was 6.5 scores (t = 3.5313, P < 0.01); (4) The survival time in the EEI treated group was 25.4 months, and that in the control group was 17.4 months (t = 3.74, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Elemene has significant effect on treatment of malignant brain tumor. It could prolong the high quality survival time of patients and is worthy of further investigation.

[The study of beta-fibrinogen gene - 455 G/A, - 148 C/T, 448 G/A polymorphisms and their association with plasma fibrinogen levels]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the frequency of beta-fibrinogen (beta-Fg) gene - 455 G/A, - 148 C/T, 448 G/A polymorphisms and their association with plasma fibrinogen levels in Han nationality in Guangdong Chinese.

METHODS

The beta-Fg gene - 455 G/A, - 148 C/T, 448 G/A polymorphisms of 156 individuals were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Plasma fibrinogen levels were determined by turbidimetry.

RESULTS

The frequencies of A(- 455), T(- 148) and A(448) allele were 0.276, 0.285 and 0.272, respectively. There were strong linkages of G(- 455), C(- 148) and G(448), and of A(- 455), T(- 148) and A(448), the correspondence was more than 97%. The plasma fibrinogen levels in the presence and absence of A(- 455) allele were (3.13 +/- 0.74) g/L and (2.89 +/- 0.57) g/L (P < 0.05); of T(- 148) allele were (3.12 +/- 0.73) g/L and (2.89 +/- 0.58) g/L (P < 0.05); and of A(448) were (3.13 +/- 0.74) g/L and (2.89 +/- 0.57) g/L (P < 0.05), respectively. The plasma fibrinogen levels of the three polymorphisms with the mutant gene are significantly higher than that in the wild type.

CONCLUSION

The three polymorphisms loci are strong linkage disequilibrium. It suggests that beta-Fg gene - 455 G/A, - 148 C/T, 448 G/A polymorphisms are associated with plasma fibrinogen levels.

[Preliminary study on the expression of aromatase P450 mRNA in human lung cancer tissues]

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the expression , location and distribution of aromatase P450 mRNA in human lung cancer.

METHODS

Using aromatase P450 cRNA as probe , the expression of aromatase mRNA were tested in 23 patients with primary lung cancer and 7 patients with pulmonary benign diseases by in situ hybridization.

RESULTS

Positive expression of aromatase mRNA was found in 11 cases with squamous cell carcinoma , 6 cases with adenocarcinoma and 2 cases with adenosquamous carcinoma. 3 cases with small cell lung cancer and 1 case with bronchioloalveolar carcinoma were all weak positive. Positive signals were mainly found in cytoplasm and nuclei of tumor cells , and a small quantity of positive expression of aromatase mRNA was found in stromal cells and vascular endothelium cells of the tumor. But no expression of aromatase mRNA was found in the noncancerous tissues and tissues of benign pulmonary lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the expression of aromatase mRNA are general in lung cancer tissues , and it might play an important role in the oncogenesis and development of lung cancer.

[Survival analysis after kidney transplantation in 1,180 cadaveric graftings]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the outcome of twenty-two years of cadaveric kidney transplantation and the predict factors impacting on graft survival.

METHODS

The data of 1,180 cadaveric kidney graftings in 1,039 patients between October of 1977 and June of 1999 were summarized by calculation of patient and graft survival rates using Kaplan-Meier product limit estimates. 13 factors that may influence on graft survival were analyzed by the log-rank and Cox model.

RESULTS

The total of 1-, 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year patient survival rates were 93.02%, 80.25%, 67.86%, 65.34% and 65.34%, and the corresponding graft survival rates 88.6%, 68.3%, 43.8%, 43.8%, and 32.8%, respectively. Graft half-life was (13.98 +/- 0.96) years. The longest survivor was 22 years after cadaveric kidney transplantation. The quality of life after grafting in 835 alive patients was improved apparently; 95% of them had a normal graft function and 85% returned to work. The result of multivariable analysis using Cox model showed that 8 factors of patient's age, grafting time, pretransplant blood transfusion, cold ischemia time, delayed graft function, time of normal graft function, immunosuppressive regimen, and acute rejection were very important to affect the graft survival.

CONCLUSION

Cadaveric kidney transplantation is a successful and effective method to rescue the patients with end-stage renal disease.

Hepatitis C viral IRES inhibition by phenazine and phenazine-like molecules

An in vitro assay based on the expression of Fluci reporter gene under the translational control of HCV IRES was used to evaluate and screen compound libraries. A structure-activity relationship study on a phenazine hit was conducted. Our data suggest that an intact phenazine or phenazine-like core with two distal polar substitutions is crucial for potency.

Altered balance between extracellular proteolysis and antiproteolysis is associated with adaptive coronary arteriogenesis

To study the role of extracellular proteolysis and antiproteolysis during adaptive arteriogenesis (collateral vessel growth) we took 58 collaterals at various developmental stages from 14 dogs with chronic occlusion of the left circumflex coronary artery (LCx) by ameroid constrictor. Immunofluorescence and quantitative immunofluorescence with antibodies against alpha-smooth muscle actin, desmin, matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1) and 2 (TIMP-2), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) and its inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were studied with confocal microscopy. Additionally, SDS-PAGE zymography was employed. We found that in normal coronary arteries, MMP-2, MMP-9 and PAI-1 were present in all layers of the wall in small amounts. TIMP-1 was found only in smooth muscle cells. In contrast, in growing collaterals, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were 3.4-fold and 4.1-fold higher in the neointima than in the media respectively. TIMP-1 was 4.4-fold higher in the media over the growing neointima. Zymography showed MMP-2 and MMP-9 activated. PAI-1 was increased, especially in the growing neointima where it was 1.4-fold higher. In mature collaterals, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were downregulated in the neointima, 1.4-fold and 1.3-fold higher over the media. TIMP-1 was 1.4-fold increased in the neointima but PAI-1 was downregulated. Desmin and alpha-smooth muscle actin were significantly increased in the neointima compared to growing vessels. U-PA was moderately increased in growing vessels. TIMP-2 was not detectable in collaterals. We conclude that expression of MMP-2 and 9, TIMP-1 and PAI-1 showed a spatial and temporal pattern which is closely associated with the development of collateral vessels. The shift of the balance between proteolysis and antiproteolysis is regulated not only by MMPs and TIMP-1, but also by the PA-PAI system.

Correlation of genetic polymorphism of cytochrome P4502D6 with dextromethorphan oxidative metabolism in Chinese

OBJECTIVE

To determine the genetic mechanism of dextromethorphan oxidative polymorphism in Chinese subjects.

METHODS

CYP2D6 genotype was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Hph I restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) techniques in 119 healthy Chinese subjects.

RESULTS

The gene frequency of CYP2D6*10B was 58.4%, including 13(10.9%) of homozygous wild type(w/w), 33 (27.7%) of homozygous mutant(m/m), and 73(61.3%) of heterozygous genotypes(m/w). Twenty-nine subjects out of 42 intermediate metabolizers(70%) of dextromethorphan were homozygous for CYP2D6*10B. One poor metabolizer subject also showed an m/m genotype. Besides, 10 Chinese subjects were tested and excluded for the presence of any of the six mutant alleles associated with poor metabolism of CYP2D6 in Caucasians.

CONCLUSION

The CYP2D6*10B allele containing the C(188)--> T mutation is the major cause of CYP2D6 polymorphism in relation to diminished dextromethorphan oxidative capacity in Chinese subjects.

Content-based retrieval of dynamic PET functional images

The recent information explosion has led to massively increased demand for multimedia data storage in integrated database systems. Content-based retrieval is an important alternative and complement to traditional keyword-based searching for multimedia data and can greatly enhance information management. However, current content-based image retrieval techniques have some deficiencies when applied in the biomedical functional imaging domain. In this paper, we presented a prototype design for a content-based functional image retrieval database system for dynamic positron emission tomography. The system supports efficient content-based retrieval based on physiological kinetic features and reduces image storage requirements. This design makes it possible to maintain a large number of patient data sets online and to rapidly retrieve dynamic functional image sequences for interpretation and generation of physiological parametric images, and offers potential advantages in medical image data management and telemedicine, as well as providing possible opportunities in the statistical and comparative analysis of functional image data.

Mechanisms of hepatocyte growth factor-induced retinal endothelial cell migration and growth

PURPOSE

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), also called scatter factor, stimulates growth and motility in nonocular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells through its receptor c-Met. Recent reports suggest that HGF is increased in the serum and vitreous of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and that smooth muscle cells and retinal pigment epithelial cells secrete HGF in the eye. However, little is known about HGF's action in the retina. In this study, the activity, expression, and signaling pathways of HGF were investigated in bovine retinal microvascular endothelial cells (BRECs).

METHODS

Mitogenic and motogeneic effects of HGF on BRECs were examined using cell counts, thymidine uptake, and migration assays. MAP kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation was examined by Western blot analysis. Protein kinase C (PKC), MAPK, and PI3 kinase involvement were evaluated using selective inhibitors and activity assays. Expression of HGF and c-Met was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

HGF and c-Met were both expressed in BRECs. HGF stimulated BREC growth in a time- and dose-dependent manner, observed at HGF concentrations of 5 ng/ml or more and maximal (410%) at 100 ng/ml (P < 0.001). HGF increased BREC migration in a dose-dependent manner with a maximal 3.4-fold increase at 50 ng/ml after 5 hours. HGF induced time- and dose-dependent MAPK phosphorylation, initially evident at 5 minutes (P < 0.001) or 5 ng/ml (P < 0.050) and maximal after 15 minutes (>80-fold, P < 0.001) or 50 ng/ml (>20-fold, P < 0.001), respectively. MAPK phosphorylation was maintained for more than 2 hours. This response was inhibited 31% by 0.1 microm wortmannin and 76% by 30 microm LY294002, another PI3 kinase inhibitor. The non-isoform-selective PKC inhibitor GFX inhibited HGF-induced MAPK phosphorylation by only 15% at 5 microm. Combined PKC and PI3 kinase inhibition was additive (P < 0.05). Cell migration was inhibited 30% by wortmannin (P < 0.01) and 32% by GFX (P < 0.05), and again the effect was additive (P < 0.001). HGF-induced BREC growth was suppressed by PI3 kinase, PKC, or MAPK inhibition (all P < 0.01). HGF (50 ng/ml) stimulated PI3 kinase activity 347% (P < 0.001) and PKC activity 37% (P < 0.05). HGF-induced MAPK phosphorylation and mitogenesis were not inhibited by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-neutralizing antibody.

CONCLUSIONS

HGF and its receptor are expressed in BREC, and HGF stimulates both BREC growth and migration at concentrations observed in the human eye with diabetic retinopathy. HGF signaling appears to involve activation of both PKC and PI3 kinase, inducing MAPK phosphorylation that is critical for migration and growth. However, VEGF does not appear to mediate these initial HGF effects. These results indicate that HGF could have a significant role in mediating retinal endothelial cell proliferation and migration in diabetic retinopathy, and they begin to elucidate the signal transduction pathway by which this action may occur.

Oxoproline kinetics and oxoproline urinary excretion during glycine- or sulfur amino acid-free diets in humans

L-5-oxoproline (L-5-OP) is an intermediate in glutathione synthesis, possibly limited by cysteine availability. Urinary 5-OP excretion has been proposed as a measure of glycine availability. We investigated whether 5 days of dietary sulfur amino acid (SAA-free) or glycine (Gly-free) restriction affects plasma kinetics of 5-OP and urinary excretion of L- and D-5-OP in 6 healthy men. On day 6, L-5-[1-(13)C]oxoproline and [3,3-(2)H(2)]cysteine were infused intravenously for 8 h (3 h fast/5 h fed). In a control study (adequate amino acid mixture), plasma oxoproline fluxes were 37.8 +/- 13.8 (SD) and 38.4 +/- 14.8 micromol x kg(-1) x h(-1); oxidation accounted for 85% of flux. Cysteine flux was 47.9 +/- 8.5 and 43.2 +/- 8.5 micromol x kg(-1) x h(-1) for fast and fed phases, respectively. Urinary excretion of L- and D-5-OP was 70 +/- 34 and 31.1 +/- 13.3 micromol/mmol creatinine, respectively, during days 3-5, and 46.4 +/- 13.9 and 22.4 +/- 8.3 micromol/mmol over the 8-h tracer study. The 5-OP flux for the Gly-free diet was higher (P = 0. 018) and tended to be higher for the SAA-free diet (P = 0.057) when compared with the control diet. Oxidation rates were higher on the Gly-free (P = 0.005) and SAA-free (P = 0.03) diets. Cysteine fluxes were lower on the the Gly-free (P = 0.01) and the SAA-free diets (P = 0.001) compared with the control diet. Rates of L-5-OP excretion were unchanged by withdrawal of SAA or Gly for 5 days but increased on day 6 (P = 0.005 and P = 0.019, respectively). Thus acute changes in the dietary availability of SAA and Gly alter oxoproline kinetics and urinary 5-OP excretion.

Cartilage-reactive T cells in rheumatoid synovium

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory polyarthritis genetically linked to HLA-DR4 and related haplotypes. RA synovial tissue is characterized by T cell infiltration and activation of macrophage-like cells, strongly implicating a T cell-antigen-presenting cell (APC) interaction in RA pathogenesis. To investigate the nature of the antigens driving the T cell response, synovial tissue was obtained from a patient with chronic RA and T cells were enriched. These T cells were stimulated by endogenous APC from the same synovial tissue. The T cell lines were subsequently evaluated for responsiveness to autologous APC and cartilage antigens. Specific proliferative responses to autologous APC which were enhanced by cartilage extract were seen. Immunomagnetic bead selection and RT-PCR was used to identify TCR alphabeta pairs which appeared to respond to antigen(s) in the cartilage extract. T cell clones derived from the same joint were shown to release IL-2 in response to the cartilage extract and expressed a related TCR. With these experiments we have shown direct evidence that autoreactive T cells are found within the inflamed rheumatoid synovium and, further, that the antigens driving these T cells are cartilage derived. Since the antigens recognized by these populations of T cells are found within cartilage our data provides evidence that RA pathology could be related to a self-driven autoimmune response to cartilage proteins.

Intrinsic mobility of a dissociated dislocation in silicon

Dislocation velocities in silicon in the experimental range of temperature and stress are studied a priori by combining a mechanistic treatment of elementary kink processes with activation energies obtained by atomistic calculations. Pronounced effects of intrinsic coupling of the dissociated partial dislocations are captured in kinetic Monte Carlo simulations, which are consistent with observed velocity variations with applied stress. As a result, the nature of "weak obstacles" to kink propagation, a long-standing postulate in previous data interpretation, is clarified. A striking new effect is predicted and offered for experimental verification when dislocation velocity shows nonmonotonic oscillatory behavior with increasing stress.

Cumulant solution of the elastic boltzmann transport equation in an infinite uniform medium

We consider an analytical solution of the time-dependent elastic Boltzmann transport equation in an infinite uniform isotropic medium with an arbitrary phase function. We obtain (1) the exact distribution in angle, (2) the exact first and second spatial cumulants at any angle, and (3) an approximate combined distribution in position and angle and a spatial distribution whose central position and half-width of spread are always exact. The resulting Gaussian distribution has a center that advances in time, and an ellipsoidal contour that grows and changes shape providing a clear picture of the time evolution of the particle migration from near ballistic, through snakelike and into the final diffusive regime.

Highly diastereoselective alpha-mannopyranosylation in the absence of participating protecting groups

S-Phenyl 2,6-di-O-benzyl-3,4-O-(2',3'-dimethoxybutane-2', 3'-diyl)-1-thia-alpha-D-mannopyranoside and its sulfoxide, following activation at -78 degrees C with benzenesulfenyl triflate or triflic anhydride, respectively, provide the corresponding alpha-mannosyl triflate as demonstrated by NMR spectroscopy. On addition of an acceptor alcohol alpha-mannosides are then formed. Similarly, S-phenyl 2,3-O-carbonyl-4, 6-O-benzylidene-1-thia-alpha-D-mannopyranoside and ethyl 3-O-benzoyl-4, 6-O-benzylidene-2-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-1-thia-alpha-D-mannopyr anoside both provide alpha-mannosides on activation with benzenesulfenyl triflate followed by addition of an alcohol. These results stand in direct contrast to the highly beta-selective couplings of comparable glycosylations with 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4, 6-O-benzylidene protected mannosyl donors and draw attention to the subtle interplay of reactivity and structure in carbohydrate chemistry.

Vacancy interaction with dislocations in silicon: the shuffle-glide competition

Competition between the two alternative positions (shuffle and glide 111 plane subsets) for the core of a 30 degrees partial dislocation in Si is examined. Using a combination of ab initio total energy calculations with finite temperature free-energy calculations based on an interatomic potential, we obtained free energies for the relevant vacancy-type core defects. Generally, the free energy of vacancy formation in the core of a 30 degrees glide partial dislocation is considerably lower (by more than 1 eV) than in the bulk. However, even at high temperatures, the predicted thermal concentration of the shuffle segments comprised of a row of vacancies in the core is low, placing the 30 degrees partial dislocation in the glide subset position.

Success rates and cost-effectiveness of antibiotic combinations for initial treatment of central-venous-line infections during total parenteral nutrition

BACKGROUND

Central-venous-line infections can be successfully treated with appropriate antibiotics, thus avoiding the need for catheter removal. Based on our experience, vancomycin, gentamicin, piperacillin, ceftazidime, and amphotericin, alone or in combination, are usually administered, pending sensitivity results. This empirical list, however, has never been verified against actual sensitivity results nor has it been tested for cost or efficacy.

METHODS

Medical records of inpatients on hyperalimentation over 1 year were reviewed. Success rate, therapy duration, and drug acquisition cost and charge were assessed for central-venous-line infections. Antibiotics then were paired and evaluated in terms of charge and efficacy against all microorganisms as determined by sensitivity results.

RESULTS

In 500 inpatients receiving hyperalimentation for 9,698 patient-days, 8.4 central-venous-line infections/1,000 patient-days occurred. Staphylococcus non-aureus, Candida species, Enterococcus faecium, and Staphylococcus aureus predominantly were isolated. Of the infections, 51 (67%) were sensitive to one or more of the initial antibiotics. A 2-week course of antibiotics successfully treated 50 (66%) catheter infections without line removal. Appropriate initial therapy on average reduced treatment duration by 8 to 10 days and drug charges by $400 to $700.

CONCLUSIONS

Amikacin-vancomycin appears to be the most cost-effective selection for presumed central-venous-line infections, pending sensitivity results, followed by valid alternatives. Lower failure rates are well worth the extra cost in pharmaceutical charges.

Effects of acupuncture on the pituitary-thyroid axis in rabbits with fracture

PURPOSE

To observe the effects of acupuncture on the pituitary-thyroid axis in rabbits with fracture.

METHOD

36 male rabbits with a 3-mm width experimental defect in the middle segment of the left radius were randomly divided into the treatment group and control group, and the changes in serum T3, T4 and TSH contents in different weeks were investigated.

RESULTS

Serum T3, T4 and TSH contents in the treatment group all were higher than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences in the contents of T4 and TSH in the second week and T3 content in the fourth week (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The action of promoting union of fracture is possibly related with the pituitary-thyroid axis.