[Peroxynitrite mediated acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharides in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the roles of peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) in acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS).

METHODS

Nitrotyrosine (NT), a specific marker of in vivo ONOO(-) production, was detected with immunohistochemical technique in rat lung during endotoxin shock (LPS 5 mg/kg iv). Lung coefficient (LC), lung wet/dry weight ratio (W/D), the contents of water and Evans blue (EB) in lungs were measured after intratracheal insufflation of ONOO(-) with different doses. Monastral blue (MB)-labelled blood vessels and pathological changes in lungs were examined under a light microscope.

RESULTS

After 2 or 6 hours of LPS intravenous administration, severe lung injury and positive signals of NT occurred with the latter located in the pulmonary macrophages, endothelia, subendothelial and muscular layers of the pulmonary artery. Administration of exogenous ONOO(-) caused dose-dependent increase in LC, W/D, ater and EB contents and in the number of MB-labelled blood vessels in rat lungs, together with significant pathological alterations such as diffuse alveolar collapse, capillary congestion in the septa and focal hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

In the early stage of endotoxin shock, severe lung injury and ONOO(-) production simultaneously exist, and exogenous ONOO(-) could induce significant dysfunction of microvascular endothelial barrier and lung injury, indicating that ONOO(-) generation in vivo may be involved in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury.

[A new approach for secondary deformities of unilateral cleft lip nose]

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this work was to correct the secondary deformities of unilateral cleft lip nose.

METHODS

On the basis of patho-anatomical study and the comprehension on the cleft lip nose, a new approach to correct the secondary deformities of unilateral cleft lip nose was designed and used. During operation, an intranasal and marginal combining incision was made to explore the alar cartilages and to from a mucosal-cartilage flap in the nasal vestibule. After the deformity of septal cartilage and the abnormalities of the alar base on the cleft side were repaired, the total alar cartilage was repositioned and rotated with suspension and V-Y advancement to correct the nasal deformities.

RESULTS

Since 1993, a total of 92 cases were treated by the above procedure and satisfactory results were obtained.

CONCLUSION

The clinical applications showed that there were several advantages for this method, and good results can be gained by repositioning the total alar cartilage on the cleft side.

Prevalence of cervical cancer and feasibility of screening in rural China: a pilot study for the Shanxi Province Cervical Cancer Screening Study

For cervical cancer screening to be feasible in developing countries, it must be accurate, inexpensive, and easy to administer. We conducted a pilot study in rural Shanxi Province, People's Republic of China, to determine disease prevalence and study feasibility in preparation for a large-scale comparative trial of 6 screening tests. One-hundred and thirty-six nonpregnant women with no history of hysterectomy, pelvic radiation, or Papanicolaou tests were screened in a rural clinic. Ten percent of the women enrolled reported abnormal vaginal bleeding and 45% reported abnormal vaginal discharge. The tests were the Papanicolaou test (both conventional and ThinPrep), a self-administered swab test by Hybrid Capture II for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), a test for high-risk HPV from residual PreservCyt medium, fluorescence spectroscopy, and visual inspection of the cervix by a clinician. All women also underwent colposcopy and biopsies as the reference standard. Biopsies showed 12 of 136 women had >/= high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HGSIL). Screening was completed in 5 half-day sessions, the procedures went smoothly, and local cooperation was enthusiastic. Disease prevalence in Xiangyuan and Yangcheng Counties, Shanxi Province, can be estimated at 8.8% (95% CI, 4.5% to 15.0%). Screening 1000-2000 patients would be sufficient to detect a 10% difference in accuracy between diagnostic tests. The proposed large-scale trial is feasible.

[Relationship between complement activation and reactive oxygen species generation in inflammatory response]

OBJECTIVE

To verify the proposed activation feedback mechanism between complement and polymorphonuclear leukocytes(PMN) derived reactive oxygen species(ROS).

METHODS

In vitro tests were designed to identify the activation feedback process by alternative activations of complement by inulin or PMNs by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate(TPA) in the test medium in consisting serum complement and isolated PMNs, with chemiluminescence technique to determine the production of ROS and complement fixation trial for complement activations.

RESULTS

Evidently that activated complement could activate PMNs to release ROS which further activated complement, so the activating feedback cycle was set.

CONCLUSIONS

The complement and PMNs-ROS activation feedback cycle mechanism was recognized. It was expected to serve for delineating the regulation of inflammatory response.

[Chemical constituents of Pistia stratiotes L]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the chemical constituents of Pistia stratiotes, a kind of duckweed.

METHOD

Compounds were separated by chromatography on sillica gel, and their structures were identified by spectral analysis and chemical evidence.

RESULT

Four compounds were obtained and identified as stigmasta-4,22-dien-3-one, stigmasterol, stigmasteryl stearate and palmitic acid.

CONCLUSION

All the four compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Near-field mapping of the emission distribution in semiconductor microdiscs

We have used a scanning near-field optical microscope to study the fluorescent light distribution in the near- and far-fields with two types of microdiscs, InGaP and GaN, fabricated in our laboratory. The InGaP microdisc has a radius of 2.5-5.0 microm, a thickness of 0.15-0.2 microm and a circular shape and the GaN disc has a radius of 5-8 microm with a thickness of 0.5-2 microm. Spontaneous emission enhancement in these microdiscs has been observed with emitting wavelengths of 650 and 550 nm respectively In both types of microdisc, the whispering-gallery mode (WCM) has been observed on the top surface using near-field optical and far-field microscopic methods. However, due to the different disc structures and optical confinements, the light distributions of the type types of disc are quite different. In the case of the InGaP disc, WGM is the dominant mode with a mixture of other modes. Interference-like ring intensities have been observed both inside the disc surface and outside, with a period ratio of 1:2. In addition, the propagating waves emitted from the side of the disc have been collected for the first time by using near-field optical microscopy. A theoretical calculation based on the theory of optical modes in microdisc lasers confirmed this observation. It also predicted the behaviour of the electric field distribution (transverse electric) inside and outside the disc, as well as the period of the wave propagation. In contrast, the near-field mapping of the GaN fluorescence showed not only a ring-like emission intensity along the circumference of the disc, an indication of WGM, but also an even intensity distribution inside the disc. This can be explained as the combination of the WGM with the Fabry-Perot mode of multi-reflection between the GaN layer and the substrate. The results also demonstrate the potential application of near-field optics to explore the light emission mode of a microdisc on a nanometre scale.

[Synergy and attenuation of cyclophosphamidum (CTX) activities by abalone polysaccharide]

Abalone polysaccharide (AP) was extracted from Haliotis discushannai Ino. The combined effects of AP and CTX against tumor-bearing mice were investigated. The results showed that AP could markedly promote the inhibition effects of CTX on S180 and HepA tumor, enhance protection against leukocytopenia, decrease of spleen and thymus weight and hemolysin in serum, and bone marrow supression induced by CTX.

[Isolation and identification of two flavonoids from Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents of Taraxacum mongolicum.

METHOD

Compounds were separated by column chromatography on silica gel and polyamide, and their structures were determined by spectral analysis and chemical evidence.

RESULT

Two flavonoid compounds were separated and elucidated as isoquercitrin and hyperin.

CONCLUSION

These two compounds were isolated from the plant for the first time.

[Effects of abalong polysaccharide on the activity of the peritoneal macrophages and delayed-type hypersensitivity in mice bearing S180]

The effect of Abalone polysaccharide(Ap) which extracted from Haliotis discus hannai Ino on phagocytosis activity of the peritoneal macrophages and delayed-type hypersensitivity in mice bearing S180 were studied. The results showd that the ablong polysaccharide promoted the phagocytosis activity of the peritoneal macrophages and delayed-type hypersensitivity in mice bearing S180. It was suggested that the polysaccharide inhibited tumor growth maybe by activating the macrophage and T cells.

[A quantitative measurement of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness by optical coherence tomography in normal Chinese people]

PURPOSE

To measure retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL) thickness in normal Chinese people for the use of early diagnosis in glaucomatous patients.

METHODS

Optical Coherence Tomography(OCT) was used in 111 eyes of 77 Subjects to create cylindrical cross sections of the RNFL around the optic nerve head with scan diameter of 3.46 mm. The differences in RNFL thickness were analyzed with age, sex, either eye.

RESULTS

We found a decrease in RNFL thickness with aging especially in the superior quadrant(P < 0.05), but there weren't significant difference between right and left eyes, neither the sex(P > 0.05). The Mean RNFL thickness of different ages(mean +/- s) was as following: the superior quadrant 128.00 +/- 10.31-149.00 +/- 13.17, the inferior quadrant 132.95 +/- 9.54-142.33 +/- 10.60, the overall mean RNFL thickness 109.00 +/- 4.72-114.28 +/- 7.98 microns.

CONCLUSION

The preliminary study showed that neither sex nor either eye were associated with significant differences in RNFL thickness. It is necessary to define the normative value by age group on a larger scale.

[Steroids and lipids from Spirodela polyrrhiza]

Two steroids and two lipids were isolated from the ethanolic extract of Spirodela polyrrhiza. Their structures were identified by spectral analysis and chemical evidence, which were identified as stigmasterol, monopalmitic glycerate, daucosterol and palmitic acid. Monopalmitic glycerate was discovered from this plant for the first time.

[Anatomic study of the musculus depressor septi nasi in unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity]

OBJECTIVE

This study was to investigate the nasal musculature and its relationship with the deformities of the unilateral cleft lip nose.

METHOD

The anatomic and histological examination and comparison of the musculus depressor septi nasi (MDSN) were performed in 33 normal cadavers and 30 patients with unilateral cleft lip undergoing the operation for secondary nasal deformities.

RESULT

It was found that the MDSN in the cleft side of a unilateral cleft lip nose is lacking.

CONCLUSION

Because of the anatomic deficiency on the cleft side, the function of the normal side is pathologically increased. The functional imbalance between the normal and abnormal side may bring about dislocation and malformation of the base of nasal columella as well as the septal structures.

Pilot-scale extraction of PHB from recombinant E. coli by homogenization and centrifugation

A new method of poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) extraction from recombinant E. coli is proposed, using homogenization and centrifugation coupled with sodium hypochlorite treatment. The size of PHB granules and cell debris in homogenates was characterised as a function of the number of homogenization passes. Simulation was used to develop the PHB and cell debris fractionation system, enabling numerical examination of the effects of repeated homogenization and centrifuge-feedrate variation. The simulation provided a good prediction of experimental performance. Sodium hypochlorite treatment was necessary to optimise PHB fractionation. A PHB recovery of 80% at a purity of 96.5% was obtained with the final optimised process. Protein and DNA contained in the resultant product were negligible. The developed process holds promise for significantly reducing the recovery cost associated with PHB manufacture.

[The pathological action of surrounding connective tissues of alar cartilage in the cleft lip nose]

OBJECTIVE

This study was to explore the pathological action of the adjacent connective tissues of alar cartilage in unilateral cleft lip nose.

METHODS

Anatomic-histological and pathoanatomical study was carried on 40 normal cadavers and 30 patients with secondary deformities of unilateral cleft lip during their operations.

RESULTS

Six kinds of connective tissues with different histological features were found between the alar cartilage and adjacent skin, cartilage or bone. There was no histological difference in each connective tissue between the normal and the cleft lip nose. In the cleft lip nose, due to histological differences among the six connective tissues, there existed various changes of pathological dislocations between the alar cartilage and adjacent skin, cartilage or bone.

CONCLUSION

The authors suggest that the surrounding connective tissues of the alar cartilage play an important role and be the intrinsic basis to produce the characteristic deformities of the cleft lip nose. The result is helpful in understanding the anatomical and histological features of the connective tissues around the alar cartilage and the deformities of the unilateral cleft lip nose so as to select a reasonable operation method.

Interaction of transcription factors with serum response factor. Identification of the Elk-1 binding surface

Serum response elements (SREs) play important roles in transforming extracellular signals into specific nuclear responses. The SRE-binding protein, serum response factor (SRF), plays a pivotal role in this process. Several transcription factors have been shown to interact with SRF and thereby create distinct complexes with different regulatory potentials. The ETS domain transcription factor Elk-1 is one such protein and serves to integrate distinct mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades at SREs. Elk-1 uses a short hydrophobic surface presented on the surface of an alpha-helix to interact with SRF. In this study we have used site-directed mutagenesis to identify residues in SRF that comprise the Elk-1 binding surface. The Elk-1 binding surface is composed of residues that lie on a hydrophobic surface-exposed groove located at the junction of the MADS box and C-terminal SAM motif. Different residues are implicated in interactions between SRF and the transcription factor Fli-1, indicating that although some overlap with the Elk-1 binding surface occurs, their interaction surfaces on SRF are distinct. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that the SRF DNA-binding domain acts as docking site for multiple transcription factors that can bind to small surface-exposed patches within this domain.

[Chemical constituents of Taraxacum sinicum Kitag]

Five compounds were separated from Taraxacum sinicum by means of solvent extraction and rechromatography on silical gel. Their structures were established as caffeic acid, ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, luteolin and diosmetin by spectral analysis and chemical evidence. All the compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time. Chlorogenic acid and diosmetin have not been discovered from Taraxacum genus previously.

The ETS-domain transcription factor family

During recent years, several significant discoveries have been made concerning the function of ETS-domain transcription factors. This family of transcription factors was originally defined on the basis of the conserved primary sequence of their DNA-binding domains. The ETS DNA-binding domain is also conserved at the structural level and is a divergent member of the winged helix-turn-helix superfamily of DNA binding proteins. This sequence conservation is reflected by their overlapping DNA-binding specificities based on the central GGAA/T motif. In addition to DNA-protein interactions, protein-protein interactions with partner proteins often play major roles in targeting ETS-domain proteins to specific promoters. Several such partner proteins have been identified. ETS-domain proteins function as either transcriptional activators or repressors and their activities are often regulated by signal transduction pathways, including the MAP kinase pathways. Specific links between such pathways and ETS-domain proteins have been established in several different experimental systems. ETS-domain transcription factors regulate a diverse array of biological functions including mammalian haematopoiesis and Drosophila eye development. In vertebrates, many ETS-domain proteins regulate embryonic and adult haematopoiesis. Deregulation of ETS-domain protein activity often leads to tumorigenesis. Future work will uncover further details of how these transcription factors work at the molecular level to regulate specific biological processes.

2/3 osteotomy for lengthening the mandible in dogs by gradual distraction

Successful lengthening of the mandible by gradual distraction has been reported previously. There are various methods for osteotomy before distraction osteogenesis. In this paper, a new type of osteotomy, performed on growing dogs as a model, is reported. Ten mongrel dogs, aged 6 months, were studied. A unilateral 2/3 osteotomy was performed, and an external lengthening device was fixed to the mandible perpendicular to the osteotomy. Seven days after the operation, the mandible was lengthened by 1 mm per day. The dogs were sacrificed for histological study at the end of the distraction on days 14, 28, 56 and 120 following completion of the distraction.

Breast volume measurement in young Chinese women and clinical applications

The authors carried out research on breast volume and body surface anatomy of 125 women. As a result, an average breast volume for Chinese women was obtained (325.36 +/- 12.66 ml), and a table with several linear equations for calculating breast volume was derived. The authors applied these results to their clinical work and succeeded in making mammaplasty more precise in 178 patients.

[The different influences of splenectomy plus ligation of pericardial vein and shunt on portal hypertensive gastropathy]

A prospective and controlled study has been made to probe into the different influences of splenectomy plus ligation of pericardial vein (SPLPY) and shunt on portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG). 26 patients with cirrhosis of liver and portal hypertension admitted from January 1994 to April 1996 were randomized into two groups. One group was treated with SPLPV (15 cases), and the other shunt (11 cases). Gastroscopy was made in all patients pre- and postoperatively to observe the changes of gastric mucosa. It has been shown that SPLPV exacerbate PHG (P < 0.05) and the shunt has an opposite effect (P < 0.05). We consider that it is necessary to modify SPLPV and reevaluate the clinical effects of the both.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 17beta-substituted 14beta-hydroxysteroid 3-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside)s: steroids that bind to the digitalis receptor

The preparation of 17beta-substituted 14beta-hydroxysteroid C-3 alpha-L-rhamnopyranosides is described. These derivatives have a 14beta,20-ether, 14beta,20-lactone, or 17beta-CH2CH2OH, -CH2CH2NH2, -CH=CHNO2(E), -CH=CHCOOH(E), -CH(OH)CH2NO2(R), -CH(OMe)CH2NO2(R), -CH2-CH2COOH, or -CH(OH)CH2NH2(R) group. Derivatives were assayed in a radioligand binding assay for [3H]ouabain in membranes from canine heart muscle. The digitalis "receptor" comprises isoenzymes of the ion-pumping enzyme, Na+,K+-ATPase. The 17beta-CH=CHNO2(E), 17beta-CH=CHCOOH(E), and 17beta-CH(OMe)CH2NO2(R) derivatives were the most potent and equivalent to ouabain with low-nanomolar IC50 values. The very potent binding affinity of the disubstituted compound 17beta-CH(OMe)CH2NO2(R) further demonstrates that 17beta-unsaturated substitution is not required for potent binding affinity. This observation may be of value in the separation of cardiotonic and cardiotoxic effects. Tosylation of the 17beta-CH2OH, prepared from the 17beta-CHO by lithium aluminum hydride reduction, yielded the 14beta,17beta-ether. Synthesis of the 17beta-CH2COOH gave the epimeric 14alpha,17alpha- and 14beta,17beta-lactones. Structures have been established by NMR analysis.