[Treatment of hypertensive intracerebral hematoma by CT-directed puncture aspiration and negative-pressure drainage--analysis of 120 cases]

Puncture aspiration and negative-pressure drainage have been performed in 120 patients with hypertensive intracerebral hematoma. The results demonstrated that the CT-directed location method designed by us, based on Matsumoto and Hondo, s location method, is simple, practicable, very accurate and less. When intracranial CT and clinical manifestations of hematoma are comprehensively analyzed, an operative indication can be correctly selected. Depending on CT manifestations and pathological changes, the selected operative time is 48h or so. Of the 120 patients which underwent this operation, only 31 have died. The mortality rate is 25 percent. The effect of the therapy is satisfactory.

Detection of point mutations in exon 2 of the G6PD gene in Chinese G6PD variants

In the past few years, a total of 6 different mutations of the G6PD gene have been reported in China. One of these, the C6 mutation (A95-->G), accounted for about 15.4% of the Chinese G6PD variants. In order to develop a strategy for rapid detection of mutation-containing exons of the G6PD gene, we applied the single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) technique to the detection of mutations in exon 2 of this gene. We observed four patients with abnormal migration patterns of the exon 2 band among 20 cases of G6PD variants. Direct PCR sequencing confirmed a T to C substitution in exon 2 that has previously been reported. This procedure is therefore of particular importance for the rapid detection of mutation-containing exons in the G6PD gene.

An antigenic recombinant fusion protein from Trichinella spiralis induces a protective response in BALB/c mice

A previously reported recombinant lambda Ts39 fusion protein (FP) derived from Trichinella spiralis larvae was purified by affinity chromatography using an anti-beta-galactosidase antibody conjugated column and the effect of FP on induction of a protective response in mice was studied. BALB/c mice were injected three times at weekly intervals with FP emulsified in an equal volume of Freund's complete adjuvant and one week after the last injection mice were each challenged with a lethal dose of 1200 L1 larvae of Trichinella spiralis. As a result, the FP induced significant protection. Mice were also infected orally with 250 L1 larvae each after injection of the FP. On the 35th day of infection, immunized mice with the FP harboured 78% fewer muscle larvae than saline controls. Also, the numbers of adult worms in the small intestine were smaller in FP injected mice than saline controls on day 6 and 9 of the infection. These results suggest that the recombinant lambda Ts39 FP is a potentially valuable antigen for vaccine development.

[Effects of anisodine on respiratory center]

Anisodine (Ani), a new selective M receptor blocking agent, was isolated from Scopolia tangutica in China. The structure of Ani is similar to scopolamine. Ani (2.5, 5 mg.kg-1 i.v., or 0.6 mg.kg-1 icv) increased the rate of phrenic nerve discharges (PND), while the time of inspiration and expiration, and the spikes in each PND were reduced in urethan-anesthetized rats. In urethan-anesthetized rabbits, Ani (2.5 mg.kg-1 i.v., or 0.2 mg.kg-1 applied onto obex) increased the rate of PND. In tubocurarine-pretreated and artificially ventilated rabbits, Ani (2.5 mg.kg-1 i.v., or 0.2 mg.kg-1 applied onto obex) increased the rate of inspiratory neurone firing in nucleus tractus solitarius. Oxotremorine (40 micrograms.kg-1 i.v.) antagonized the Ani effects. Ani (2.5 mg.kg-1 i.v.) partially antagonized the respiratory depression induced by morphine. These results provide the evidence that Ani stimulates the respiratory center through cholinergic M pathway and there may be some neuronal interaction between cholinergic and opiate receptors in the control of respiratory center.

Effect of interleukin-1 beta on airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in sensitized and nonsensitized Brown-Norway rats

Airway responsiveness (AR) to inhaled acetylcholine and bradykinin and inflammatory cell recruitment in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were studied in inbred male Brown-Norway rats actively sensitized to ovalbumin and later given 500 U interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) intratracheally. We examined animals 14 to 21 days after initial sensitization at 18 to 24 hours after the intratracheal administration of IL-1 beta. We evaluated AR to acetylcholine as -log PC200, which is -log10 transformation of provocative concentration of acetylcholine producing 200% increase in lung resistance, and to bradykinin as percent increase in lung resistance. BALF was examined as an index of inflammatory changes within the lung. Although there was no significant difference in baseline lung resistance, nonsensitized and sensitized animals that were given IL-1 beta demonstrated a significant increase of AR to bradykinin at 18 to 24 hours and a significant increase of neutrophil counts in BALF, which was already observed by 4 to 6 hours. There was a significant correlation between AR to bradykinin and neutrophil counts in BALF in all animals (r = 0.644; p < 0.0005). We conclude that intratracheal administration of IL-1 beta induces the inflammatory changes, which are characterized by an increase in neutrophil counts in BALF, and increased AR to bradykinin, and that active sensitization per se does not potentiate the effect of IL-1 beta on AR to acetylcholine or bradykinin or on airway inflammation.

[Application of multilocus enzyme electrophoresis in studies of taxonomy and population genetics of S. typhi in Xinjiang]

Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MEE) was employed to study the genotype taxon and population genetics of 154 isolates of S. typhi from Xinjiang in recent 11 years. Seven kinds of enzymes were examined and determined. One hundred and fifty-four strains of S. typhi were classified into 69 electroretic types (ETs) and 10 clones (CLa-CLj). Among those 154 strains 80 epidemic isolates belonged to 21 ETs and 3 clones (CLe, f, j). ET17, 20, 21, 24, 26, 27 were the main ETs (61.30%), and CLf was the dominant clone (95.00%). Seventy-four non-epidemic isolates belonged to 48 ETs and 9 clones (CLa, b, c, d, f, g, h, i, j), no obvious dominant ET was found in them, and the main clone CLh accounted for 43.30%. It demonstrated that both outbreak and sporadic epidemics could be caused by many strains of ETs and clones, but the distribution of the former ETs was more concentrated and the preponderance of clones was more obvious. The analyses on structure of population genetics indicated that all of 7 enzymes were polymorphic. Genetic diversity among the enzyme loci was quite high, with an average of 0.35 per locus (H). The average number of alleles per locus (h) was 6.14. There was no significant difference in h or H between the isolates of different sources (P > 0.05). It was clear that S. typhi of different sources in Xinjiang were originated from the same population. The results also showed that there was a dominant allele in every enzyme locus. Natural selection was the main role in the evolution of S. typhi.

Mu opiate receptor antagonist blocks electroacupuncture inhibition on noxious blood pressure response in rabbits

A pressor blood pressure response was elicited by strong electric shock stimulation of the front paw in rabbits anesthetized with chloralose and urethane, immobilized by gallamine triethiodide and maintained by artificial ventilation. The pressor response showed a gradual decline in 3-4 successive trials. Naloxone or TCTAP, a specific mu receptor antagonist, administered intraventricularly (icv) at that time could facilitate the pressor response (n = 8, P < 0.02; n = 7, P < 0.01), suggesting the involvement of mu receptors in the declination of the pressor response. Electroacupuncture could inhibit the pressor response (n = 7, P < 0.01), and the inhibition was readily blocked by TCTAP (n = 7, P < 0.01). No obvious changes were observed in the normal saline control group. The results suggest that acupuncture is able to inhibit the pressor response via the activation of the opioid peptidergic system, of which the mu receptor is an important component.

Interference of glucose sensing by amino acids

Interference by membrane permeable substances on nonspecific electrodes is a major problem in glucose sensing. Alanine, lysine, phenylalanine, and cystine were chosen for study to gain insight into this problem. These compounds represent the classes of mono-amino aliphatic, di-amino aliphatic, aromatic, and sulfur containing amino acids, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry experiments were performed using a Pt electrode (1.77 mm2). The reductive current of glucose at -0.750 V versus Ag/AgCl was measured with increasing concentrations of interfering substances in Krebs-Ringer phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) at 37 degrees C. Experimental results have shown that these amino acids have an inhibitory effect on the glucose signal. An important finding was that the interferences from phenylalanine and cystine were more pronounced than those of lysine and alanine. An initial drop in the glucose signal was seen at less than 2.0 mg/dl of alanine or lysine and at less than 0.5 mg/dl of phenylalanine or cystine. Additional increase in the concentrations of interfering substance did not cause further appreciable signal reduction. The results confirm that glucose sensing using a non-specific electrode is possible in fluids containing interfering substances such as amino acids.

[Detection of the direct genotyping of HSV by PCR and its primal usage in ophthalmology]

The direct genotyping of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to analysis the smears from corneas or tears of 37 cases suspected HSK. The results show that PCR is a sensitive rapid and simple method. The key procedure is taking specimens.

Visualization of taurine, GABA and glutamate in developing feline cerebellum by immunohistochemistry

The localization of taurine, GABA and glutamate in developing feline cerebellum was performed using antibodies raised against the amino acids conjugated to bovine serum albumin with glutaraldehyde. Distinct patterns of immunostaining were observed for each of the amino acids. Taurine-like immunoreactivity reached a peak at 4 weeks after birth, as did GABA-like immunoreactivity, whereas glutamate-like immunoreactivity was greatest in the mature cerebellum. Purkinje cells are all taurine-positive in cerebellum from neonatal animals, whereas in the mature cerebellum they appear to contain only GABA and glutamate, with virtually no taurine, in contrast to observations reported with rodent cerebellum. Ultrastructural studies and immunogold labelling visualized by electron microscopy show that the band of taurine-like immunoreactivity observed in newborn feline cerebellum is localized within dendrites, axons and glial processes. Granule cells migrating through this region also show prominent taurine-like immunoreactivity.

Soft X-ray microimages of immunogold-labelled tumor cell surface antigens

After successfully introducing the colloidal immunogold labelling technique to soft X-ray contact microscopy (SXCM), SXCM replica microimages of immunogold labelled tumor cell HLA-A2 surface antigens have been acquired for the first time. A biological sample preparation method using immunocytochemical staining techniques suitable for SXCM has also been established.

Diffraction correction methods for insertion ultrasound attenuation estimation

We describe diffraction effects in acoustic ultrasound attenuation coefficient estimation using an insertion technique. We characterize the estimation error produced by diffraction as a function of distance and nominal attenuation values. Two new methods for correcting for the diffraction effect are presented. They are termed the Theoretical Diffraction Correction (TDC) and Experimental Diffraction Correction (EDC) techniques, respectively. Experimental validation of the two techniques is also presented, using two different sets of ultrasound measurements obtained with 1 MHz and 500 kHz transducer pairs, respectively. Significant improvement in the accuracy of the acoustic attenuation coefficient is demonstrated using both techniques.

[Bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia--a case report]

A case of bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia was reported. Since the clinical symptoms, chest X-ray and lung function testings are all non-specific, open lung biopsy was performed. Final diagnosis was based on characteristic pathologic manifestations. Treatment with corticosteroid was very effective.

Transmission electron microscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy, and atomic force microscopy of the cell envelope layers of the archaeobacterium Methanospirillum hungatei GP1

Methanospirillum hungatei GP1 possesses paracrystalline cell envelope components including end plugs and a sheath formed from stacked hoops. Both negative-stain transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) distinguished the 2.8-nm repeat on the outer surface of the sheath, while negative-stain TEM alone demonstrated this repeat around the outer circumference of individual hoops. Thin sections revealed a wave-like outer sheath surface, while STM showed the presence of deep grooves that precisely defined the hoop-to-hoop boundaries at the waveform nodes. Atomic force microscopy of sheath tubes containing entrapped end plugs emphasized the end plug structure, suggesting that the sheath was malleable enough to collapse over the end plugs and deform to mimic the shape of the underlying structure. High-resolution atomic force microscopy has revised the former idea of end plug structure so that we believe each plug consists of at least four discs, each of which is approximately 3.5 nm thick. PT shadow TEM and STM both demonstrated the 14-nm hexagonal, particulate surface of an end plug, and STM showed the constituent particles to be lobed structures with numerous smaller projections, presumably corresponding to the molecular folding of the particle.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and cytomegalovirus in saliva

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether HIV-1 or cytomegalovirus (CMV) may contribute to oral lesions frequently found in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Saliva samples from 63 HIV-1 positive patients and 21 healthy controls were tested for the presence of HIV-1 and CMV using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and virus isolation. CMV IgG titres in serum were also compared in the different groups. HIV-1 RNA, but not DNA, was detected in saliva from 15% (9 out of 59) of the HIV-infected patients. There was no correlation between the presence of HIV-1 RNA and oral symptoms in the patients. CMV DNA was detected significantly more frequently in samples from HIV-1 seropositive than from seronegative patients. CMV was detected in saliva from AIDS patients more often than in saliva from patients with mild or no symptoms. CMV IgG titres were also significantly higher in symptomatic than in asymptomatic patients. There was a significant correlation between the presence of CMV DNA and necrotizing gingivitis, and oral Kaposi's sarcoma in the patients, and also between these lesions and the stage of disease. This does not prove that CMV causes these oral lesions, but a direct or indirect role for CMV cannot be excluded.

Regional localization of the gene coding for human brain nitric oxide synthase (NOS1) to 12q24.2-->24.31 by fluorescent in situ hybridization

The human gene for brain nitric oxide synthase (NOS1) was previously assigned to chromosome 12 by analysis of a panel of somatic cell hybrids. We report here the refinement of this localization to 12q24.2-->24.31 by fluorescent in situ hybridization.

Diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infections using polymerase chain reaction, virus isolation and serology

The nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was compared with virus isolation and serology to establish which is the best method for the diagnosis of active cytomegalovirus, (CMV) infection. Samples of blood leucocytes, urine and throat washings from immunosuppressed patients and patients with congenitally acquired CMV infection, as well as from healthy persons, were examined with PCR. CMV DNA was detected in all samples from which CMV could be isolated, but not from any sample from healthy adults, whether CMV seropositive or CMV seronegative. In contrast to the findings in healthy persons, CMV genomes were frequently detected in urine and throat washings from immunosuppressed, CMV-seropositive patients without symptoms of CMV infection. The appearance of CMV genomes in blood cells in immunosuppressed CMV-seronegative patients may be the first sign of primary CMV infection. Congenital CMV infection could be rapidly and safely diagnosed when urine samples were examined by PCR. Nested PCR is a valuable tool for the diagnosis of active CMV infection, when selected materials are used.