Replacement of segmental bone defects using porous bioceramic cylinders: a biomechanical and X-ray diffraction study

A porous ceramic material [hydroxyapatitetricalcium phosphate (HA-TCP)] was implanted in the femora of 30 dogs to investigate the possibility of using this material to repair segmental bone defects. A bone segment, 1.5 cm in length, was removed from the diaphysis of one femur in each dog to create the defect. Cylinders of corresponding size were inserted into the defects. The animals were divided into three groups with recovery times of 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months, respectively. The implants were harvested and subjected to biomechanic tests (bending strength) and X-ray diffraction analysis. The bending strengths of the implant construct increased gradually over time postoperatively. The values of strength for the three different time groups had significant variations (p < 0.05). The X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the peaks of the TCP included in the cylinders decreased in intensity after implantation and tended to be similar to those of natural bone by 6 months after operation. Conversely, the peaks for the HA had fewer changes compared with preimplantation values. Based on the results of this experiment it was concluded that the porous HA-TCP ceramic cylinders have potential for repair of segmental bone defects if assisted by adequate stabilizing fixtures during the early postoperative period.

Clinical observation on preservation of lens anterior capsule in reduction of complications associated with silicone oil

PURPOSE

To observe the effect of preservation of anterior capsule on the incidence of complications associated with silicone oil.

METHODS

82 patients (82 eyes) accepted trans pars plana vitrectomy (TPPV) combined with lensectomy of whom, 30 eyes with preservation of anterior capsule (PAC) and 52 eyes with no preservation of anterior capsule (NPAC). Analysis of the incidence of complications associated with use of oil.

RESULTS

The incidence rate was 50.0% in NPAC group, and 23.3% in PAC group (P < 0.025). There were secondary glaucoma (21.1%), band keratopathy (13.5%) and corneal decompensation (9.6%) in NPAC group, while there was none of them in PAC group.

CONCLUSIONS

Preservation of anterior capsule is an effective method to reduce the complications associated with silicone oil.

Adsorbate-substrate vibrational modes of benzene on Ag(110) resolved with scanning tunneling spectroscopy

Using a low temperature scanning tunneling microscope, we have detected low energy adsorbate-substrate (external or frustrated) vibrational modes of benzene molecules adsorbed on a Ag(110) surface. We demonstrate that such vibrations represent a fingerprint of the molecules' chemical state and environment; two different vibrational spectra are measured on molecules populating two different adsorption states. We also find that the distortion of the adsorption geometry of the molecules may give rise to the excitation of additional (initially hidden) modes. Important differences in the spatial distribution of the inelastic signal are also observed for these external modes.

[Microcirculatory changes in the development of the cerebrovascular adaptation]

Recently, long-term cerebrovascular adaptations after unilateral carotid ligation that increase the tolerance of the brain to subsequent episode of ischemia was reported(J Cereb Blood Flow Metab, 1998). However, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the phenomenon was unknown. We examined regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF) before, during and after subsequent ischemia in the development of the adaptation. Male Wistar rats(n = 18) were used. Unilateral(right) carotid artery ligation was performed 3 hours(group A: n = 8), 3 days(group B: n = 10) before forebrain ischemia. With bilateral carotid arteries occlusion, mean arterial blood pressure(MABP) was reduced by hypobaric hypotension down to 50 mmHg and maintained constant for 30 min. After hypotension, the experiment continued for 90 min. Local CBF were registered at 25(5 x 5) identical locations by laser Doppler scanning in the cortex during the experiment in bilateral hemispheres(at control phase, after the left carotid artery ligation, during ischemia and after hypotension). The physiological variable such as blood pressure and gas analysis were within normal range in all groups. There were no differences of rCBF between the right and left hemispheres in group A during the experiment. In group A, rCBF of both hemispheres significantly decreased after the ligation of the left carotid artery, during the induced ischemia (P < 0.05), and recovered to the value of before ischemia. Whereas, in group B rCBF of the left side(non-occluded side) decreased after the ligation of the left carotid artery, during the induced ischemia(P < 0.05), and recovered to the value of before ischemia, but rCBF of the right side(occluded side) decreased only during the induced ischemia(P < 0.05) and rCBF of the right side was significantly higher than the left brain after ligation of the carotid artery, during ischemia and after hypotension(P < 0.05). On the basis of these data, we concluded that cerebrovascular adaptations can be acquired by 3 days after unilateral carotid artery occlusion and the tolerance phenomenon is certainly attributed to microcirculatory improvement.

cAMP stimulation of vasopressin and oxytocin release and regulation of vasopressin mRNA stability: role of auto-facilitation

The effects of cycloheximide and actinomycin on 8-bromo-cAMP (8-Br-cAMP) stimulated vasopressin and oxytocin release from the posterior pituitary and vasopressin mRNA content of the supraoptic nucleus were studied with perifused explants of the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal system. 8-Br-cAMP stimulated vasopressin and oxytocin release from the explant for up to 6 h. Inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide completely suppressed the response to 8-Br-cAMP. When gene transcription was inhibited by actinomycin, vasopressin release was stimulated by 8-Br-cAMP for approximately 2 h, but the response was not sustained. Vasopressin mRNA content was not changed by 8-Br-cAMP in the absence or presence of cycloheximide, but it was significantly decreased by simultaneous exposure to 8-Br-cAMP and actinomycin. Actinomycin alone did not change vasopressin mRNA content. Since other studies have demonstrated that cAMP stimulates vasopressin gene transcription, and since vasopressin mRNA content reflects the balance between gene transcription and mRNA degradation, the effect of actinomycin and 8-Br-cAMP on vasopressin mRNA content suggests that 8-Br-cAMP also decreased vasopressin mRNA stability and thereby induced a rapid turnover of vasopressin mRNA. The effects of cycloheximide and actinomycin on vasopressin and oxytocin release suggest that ongoing protein synthesis is required for stimulation of hormone release. Since the posterior pituitary hormone stores are not depleted with a stimulus for release that is even more potent than cAMP, it is possible that cycloheximide and actinomycin depleted smaller pools of the peptides such as those responsible for intranuclear vasopressin and oxytocin release. Further evidence that intranuclear release of vasopressin and oxytocin is a prerequisite for cAMP stimulation of vasopressin and oxytocin release was obtained by demonstrating that d(CH2)5-D-Tyr(Me)VAVP, a potent combined V1a/V2/oxytocin receptor antagonist blocked stimulation of vasopressin and oxytocin release by 8-Br-cAMP.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the in vitro and in vivo biofilm mode of growth

The biofilm mode of growth is the survival strategy of environmental bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Such P. aeruginosa biofilms also occur in the lungs of chronically infected cystic fibrosis patients, where they protect the bacteria against antibiotics and the immune response. The lung tissue damage is due to immune complex mediated chronic inflammation dominated by polymorphonuclear leukocytes releasing proteases and oxygen radicals.

Lens epithelial cells derived from alphaB-crystallin knockout mice demonstrate hyperproliferation and genomic instability

alphaB-crystallin is a member of the small heat shock protein family and can act as a molecular chaperone preventing the in vitro aggregation of other proteins denatured by heat or other stress conditions. Expression of alphaB-crystallin increases in cells exposed to stress and enhanced in tumors of neuroectodermal origin and in many neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, we examined the properties of lens epithelial cells derived from mice in which the alphaB-crystallin gene had been knocked out. Primary rodent cells immortalize spontaneously in tissue culture with a frequency of 10(-5) to 10(-6). Primary lens epithelial cells derived from alphaB-crystallin-/- mice produced hyperproliferative clones at a frequency of 7.6 x 10(-2), four orders of magnitude greater than predicted by spontaneous immortalization (1). Hyperproliferative alphaB-crystallin-/- cells were shown to be truly immortal since they have been passaged for more than 100 population doublings without any diminution in growth potential. In striking contrast to the wild-type cells, which were diploid, the alphaB-crystallin-/- cultures had a high proportion of tetraploid and higher ploidy cells, indicating that the loss of alphaB-crystallin is associated with an increase in genomic instability. Further evidence of genomic instability of alphaB-crystallin-/- cells was observed when primary cultures were infected with Ad12-SV40 hybrid virus. In striking contrast to wild-type cells, alphaB-crystallin-/- cells expressing SV40 T antigen exhibited a widespread cytocidal response 2 to 3 days after attaining confluence, indicating that SV40 T antigen enhanced the intrinsic genomic instability of alphaB-crystallin-/- lens epithelial cells. These observations suggest that the widely distributed molecular chaperone alphaB-crystallin may play an important nuclear role in maintaining genomic integrity.

The effect of fibroblast growth factor 8, isoform b, on the biology of prostate carcinoma cells and their interaction with stromal cells

Fibroblast growth factor 8, isoform b (FGF8b), has been implicated in the oncogenesis of the prostate and mammary epithelia. We examined whether overexpression of FGF8b in a weakly tumorigenic prostate carcinoma cell line, LNCaP, could alter the growth and tumorigenic properties of these cells. LNCaP cells were infected with a lentivirus vector carrying FGF8b cDNA and the green fluorescent protein (GFP) cDNA in the same construct, and the infected cell population was sorted on the basis of GFP protein expression. It was demonstrated that, in comparison with the cells transduced with GFP-vector alone, LNCaP cells with FGF8b-GFP expression manifested an increased growth rate, higher soft agar clonogenic efficiency, enhanced in vitro invasion, and increased in vivo tumorigenesis. Most strikingly, whereas parental or vector-control LNCaP cells failed to grow at all in an in vivo tumorigenesis/diaphragm invasion assay in nude mice, the cells overexpressing FGF8b proliferated as deposits of tumor cells on the diaphragm, frequently with indications of tumor cell invasion into the diaphragm. Coculturing of primary prostatic or non-prostatic stromal cells with the infected LNCaP cells led us to observe that: (a) stromal cells, irrespective of tissue origin, strongly suppressed LNCaP cell growth; (b) FGF8b producing LNCaP cells could partially evade the stromal inhibition, perhaps from the autocrine stimulatory effect of FGF8b; and (c) production of FGF8b in the coculture had a stimulatory effect on the proliferation of the stromal cells, prostatic or non-prostatic. This stimulation was not attributable to the direct action of FGF8b on stromal cells. Instead, it appears that epithelial-stromal cell-cell contact and some unknown soluble factors secreted by LNCaP cells upon stimulation of FGF8b are required for the maximal effect. Together, these results suggest that the growth rate and biological behavior of prostatic cancer cells can be altered to a more aggressive phenotype by up-regulation of FGF8b expression. These changes in phenotype also influence the interaction of the affected cells with stromal cells. The data obtained may have direct relevance to the progression of prostate cancer, recognizing that FGF8b is naturally overexpressed in advanced disease.

Biliary glutathione secretion in male single comb white leghorn chickens after inhibition of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase

The amount of hepatic export of glutathione into bile and the importance of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gammaGT) activity for catabolizing glutathione in the bile duct, have not been reported previously for domestic fowl. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to establish baseline values of biliary glutathione, and a secondary objective was to investigate the effect of acivicin (AT-125; a gammaGT inhibitor) on biliary glutathione in the chicken. Cannulae were placed in the carotid artery (to measure blood pressure) and into the left bile duct of anesthetized male Single Comb White Leghorn (SCWL) chickens (n = 5; 17 to 18 wk). The right bile duct was clamped between the liver and gall bladder. Bile samples were collected at 15-min intervals into microcentrifuge tubes (on ice) containing serine borate and iodoacetic acid to prevent glutathione oxidation. After two samples were obtained to establish baseline values, retrograde infusion of AT-125 (30 microLmol/kg BW) was given to inhibit gammaGT activity in the biliary tree. Systemic blood pressure of the birds remained above 100 mm Hg throughout each experiment (90 to 120 min). Bile flow did not change significantly during the experiment and ranged between 0.15+/-0.03 and 0.20+/-0.07 mL/15 min per kg BW. Baseline biliary secretion values of reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and total glutathione (TGSH) were 4.6, 5.9, and 17 nmol/min per kg BW. After AT-125 infusion, biliary GSH levels increased from 15 to 31 nmol/min per kg BW, indicating that considerable gammaGT-mediated catabolism of GSH occurred in the biliary tree of SCWL males. These results indicate that considerable turnover of GSH in the livers of domestic chickens is due to biliary excretion and that substantial recovery of GSH occurs through activity of gammaGT in the biliary tree.

Differential protective activity of alpha A- and alphaB-crystallin in lens epithelial cells

alphaA- and alphaB-crystallins are molecular chaperones expressed at low levels in lens epithelial cells, and their expression increases dramatically during differentiation to lens fibers. However, the functions of alphaA- and alphaB-crystallins in lens epithelial cells have not been studied in detail. In this study, the relative ability of alphaA- and alphaB-crystallin, in protecting lens epithelial cells from apoptotic cell death was determined. The introduction of alphaA-crystallin in the transformed human lens epithelial (HLE) B-3 lens epithelial cell line (which expresses low endogenous levels of alphaB-crystallin) led to a nearly complete protection of cell death induced by staurosporine, Fas monoclonal antibody, or the cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha. To further study the relative protective activities of alphaA- and alphaB-crystallins, we created a cell line derived from alphaA-/-alphaB-/- double knockout mouse lens epithelia by infecting primary cells with Ad12-SV40 hybrid virus. The transformed cell line alphaAalphaBKO1 derived from alphaA/alphaB double knockout cells was transfected with alphaA- or alphaB-crystallin cDNA contained in pCIneo mammalian expression vector. Cells expressing different amounts of either alphaA-crystallin or alphaB-crystallin were isolated. The ability of alphaA- or alphaB-crystallin to confer protection from apoptotic cell death was determined by annexin labeling and flow cytometry of staurosporine- or UVA- treated cells. The results indicate that the anti-apoptotic activity of alphaA-crystallin was two to three-fold higher than that of alphaB-crystallin. Our work suggests that comparing the in vitro annexin labeling of lens epithelial cells is an effective way to measure the protective activity of alphaA- and alphaB-crystallin. Since the expression of alphaA-crystallin is largely restricted to the lens, its greater protective effect against apoptosis suggests that it may play a significant role in protecting lens epithelial cells from stress.

Hepatic and extra-hepatic stimulation of glutathione release into plasma by norepinephrine in vivo

Studies were conducted to determine the effect of norepinephrine (NE) on reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) export from hepatic and extra-hepatic tissues in vivo. Anesthetized Single Comb White Leghorn (SCWL) males were implanted with cannulae in the carotid artery, hepatic vein (HV) and hepatic portal veins (PV), and the left bile duct. In Experiment 1, GSH and GSSG in hepatic and portal venous plasma and bile were determined prior to, during, and following two 20-min infusions of NE (2 and 10 microg/min per kg BW) into the hepatic PV. The lower NE infusion rate increased hepatic venous GSH (indicative of increased GSH export into liver sinusoids) without affecting systemic or hepatic vascular pressures; however, it had no affect on portal venous GSH. The higher NE infusion rate increased GSH in the HV and hepatic PV (indicative of extra hepatic export of glutathione) as well as systemic pressure, hepatic and portal venous pressures, and the transhepatic pressure gradient. Biliary secretion of GSH and GSSG was unaffected by either rate of NE infusion in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, pretreatment of birds with phentolamine, an alpha-adrenergic receptor blocker (alpha-block), abolished sinusoidal export GSH as well as the ability of NE to stimulate GSH release from hepatic and extra-hepatic tissue. Although HV and PV pressures were lower in alpha-block birds compared with controls, there were no differences in the transhepatic pressure gradient between groups. Plasma GSSG was below the limits of detection in Experiments 1 and 2. The combined results of Experiments 1 and 2 indicate that hepatic export of GSH was independent of changes in systemic or hepatic vascular pressures or changes in the transhepatic pressure gradient. The results of these studies are the first to demonstrate that export of GSH into plasma in vivo is mediated by an alpha-receptor-mediated mechanism in hepatic and extra-hepatic tissues. The findings may be particularly important with regard to antioxidant homeostasis of animals during periods of stress.

NaDNA-bipyridyl-(ethylenediamine)platinum (II) complex: structure in oriented wet-spun films and fibers

Complexes of NaDNA with bipyridyl-(ethylenediamine)platinum(II) (abbreviated [(bipy)Pt(en)](2+)) in solid, oriented films, prepared with a wet-spinning method, have been studied using x-ray diffraction, elastic neutron scattering, two-dimensional magic-angle-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared (IR) linear dichroism, and IR absorption. All of these experiments indicate that the DNA in this complex is in the B conformation. The neutron diffraction experiments reveal that the rise per residue is 3.31 A, indicating that the [(bipy)Pt(en)](2+) molecular ion causes a small distortion of the B conformation. The neutron data in the direction perpendicular to the helical axis are consistent with a centered orthorhombic unit cell with a=22.65 A and b=32.2 A. The NMR and IR experiments show that the orientation of phosphate groups in the DNA small middle dot[(bipy)Pt(en)](2+) complex is the same as that observed for pure DNA in the B conformation. The IR experiments also show that the [(bipy)Pt(en)](2+) molecular ion stabilizes the B conformation of DNA down to 59% relative humidity, a low water activity. Mechanochemical experiments on wet-spun NaDNA fibers in 68% ethanol with and without [(bipy)Pt(en)](2+) reveal a 9% elongation of the DNA fibers as the complex is formed.

[Primary non-specific ureteritis]

OBJECTIVE

To better understand primary non-specific ureteritis.

METHODS

The etiological, clinical, and pathological manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of 3 cases of primary non-specific ureteritis were discussed.

RESULTS

Preoperative diagnosis failed. Uretero-ureterostomy was performed in 2 cases, and ureteroneocystostomy in one. The patients were free from hydronephrosis and ureteral dilatation.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnosis depends on pathological manifestations, differentiation from secondary non-specific ureteritis, ureteral tuberculosis, negative X-ray of ureteral stone and ureteral carcinoma. Surgical intervention is effective with good prognosis.

[Experimental study on endothelialization of autologous pericardial heart valves in vitro]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate a method of autologous pericardial heart valves (APHV) treatment beneficial to endothelialization.

METHODS

Bovine aortic endothelium cells (BAEC) were cultured and seeded in autologous pericardial pieces treated with different methods in vitro. The influence of different treatment on cellular growing, amount of 3H-TdR incorporation and PGI2 releasing, contents of intracellular cAMP was studied by means of transmission electron microscopy, 3H-TdR incorporation experimentation and radioimmunity method.

RESULTS

The BAEC seeded in bovine pericardial pieces treated with three different concentrations of GA 10 minutes could alive. In the group with method of treatment with 0.2% GA, the growing of BAEC was best, the cellular density and the amount of 3H-TdR incorporation at different time spots were higher than that of the other groups and it did not enhance the abnormal synthesis of cAMP and PGI2 in BAEC.

CONCLUSION

The pericardium treated with 0.2% GA 10 minutes has little toxicity to endothelium cell, which indicates that this method is beneficial to endothelialization of APHV postoperatively.

An investigation of immunocompetence substances in normal gingival and periodontitis tissue

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of nitric oxide (NO), endothelin (ET), substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) immunocompetence substances and their relationship to chronic periodontitis.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical aod histochemical staining methods were used to detect the expression of the NO synthase (NOS), ET, SP and CGRP levels in 20 patients with chronic periodontitis and 20 healthy subjects as control.

RESULTS

Quantitative analysis by Quantimat 970 showed that NOS and ET in periodontitis tissue increased significantly (P < 0.01), particularly the content of ET in comparison with healthy subjects. The intergroup expression of SP and CGRP showed no remarkable changes.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that the level of NOS and ET were significantly increased in periodontic tissue, which may diminish the blood supply and influence the periodontal tissue causing tissue damage. Our study suggests that immunocompetence substances NO and ET are closely associated with periodontitis and may play an important role in the disease.

Pig islet xenograft rejection is markedly delayed in macrophage-depleted mice: a study in streptozotocin diabetic animals

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of depletion of macrophages and/or natural killer (NK) cells on islet xenograft rejection in the pig-to-mouse model. Five microliters (4,000 to 5,000 IEQ, islet equivalents) of adult pig islets were transplanted under the renal capsule of C57BL/6 mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Macrophages were depleted by injection of liposome-encapsulated dichloromethylene diphosphonate (Lip-Cl2MDP) intraperitoneally (i.p.) at a dose of 100 microl/ 10 g body weight (BW) 2 days before transplantation, and 50 microl/10 g BW weekly thereafter. NK cells were depleted by injection of the monoclonal antibody NK 1.1 (anti-NK 1.1 mAb) i.p. at a dose of 100 microg/mouse 1 day before transplantation, and then 25 microg per week thereafter. Islet graft survival was monitored by daily measurements of blood glucose. Graft survival was 8 +/- 1.2 days in untreated controls, 9 +/- 1.0 days with anti-NK 1.1 mAb alone, 22 +/- 4.9 days with Lip-Cl2MDP alone (P<0.01 vs. controls), and 26 +/- 3.8 days with Lip-Cl2MDP plus anti-NK 1.1 mAb (P<0.01 vs. controls). In the last group, two of six animals were killed with functioning grafts 30 days after transplantation. In untreated controls, rejected xenografts were heavily infiltrated by F4/80+ macrophages and CD3+T cells. In Lip-Cl2MDP-treated groups, the number of F4/80+ macrophages was markedly reduced. On the periphery of xenografts, a small number of CD3+T cells were observed. In conclusion, our results suggest that strategies targeting macrophages may facilitate islet xenograft survival. A role for NK cells cannot be excluded, but appears to be of minor importance.

Transmembrane domain of M2 protein from influenza A virus studied by solid-state (15)N polarization inversion spin exchange at magic angle NMR

The M2 protein from the influenza A virus forms a proton channel in the virion that is essential for infection. This tetrameric protein appears to form a four-helix bundle spanning the viral membrane. Here the solid-state NMR method, 2D polarization inversion spin exchange at magic angle (PISEMA), has been used to obtain multiple constraints from specifically amino acid-labeled samples. The improvement of spectral resolution from 2D PISEMA over 1D methods and 2D separated local field methods is substantial. The reliability of the method is validated by comparison of anisotropic chemical shift and heteronuclear dipolar interactions from single site labeled samples. The quantitative interpretation of the high-resolution constraints confirms the helix tilt to be within the range of previous experimental determinations (32 degrees -38 degrees ). The binding of the channel inhibitor, amantadine, results in no change in the backbone structure at position Val(27,28), which is thought to be a potential binding site for the inhibitor.

Imaging membrane protein helical wheels

Resonance patterns have been observed in 2D solid-state NMR spectra of the transmembrane segment of M2 protein from Influenza A virus in oriented samples reflecting the helical wheel of this alpha-helix. The center of this pattern uniquely defines the helical tilt with respect to the bilayer normal without a need for resonance assignments. The distribution of resonances from amino acid specific labels around the "PISA wheel" defines the rotational orientation of the helix and yields preliminary site-specific assignments. With assignments high-resolution structural detail, such as differences in tilt and rotational orientation along the helical axis leading to an assessment of helical coiling, can be obtained.

Biochemical and genetic interactions between Drosophila caspases and the proapoptotic genes rpr, hid, and grim

In Drosophila melanogaster, the induction of apoptosis requires three closely linked genes, reaper (rpr), head involution defective (hid), and grim. The products of these genes induce apoptosis by activating a caspase pathway. Two very similar Drosophila caspases, DCP-1 and drICE, have been previously identified. We now show that DCP-1 has a substrate specificity that is remarkably similar to those of human caspase 3 and Caenorhabditis elegans CED-3, suggesting that DCP-1 is a death effector caspase. drICE and DCP-1 have similar yet different enzymatic specificities. Although expression of either in cultured cells induces apoptosis, neither protein was able to induce DNA fragmentation in Drosophila SL2 cells. Ectopic expression of a truncated form of dcp-1 (DeltaN-dcp-1) in the developing Drosophila retina under an eye-specific promoter resulted in a small and rough eye phenotype, whereas expression of the full-length dcp-1 (fl-dcp-1) had little effect. On the other hand, expression of either full-length drICE (fl-drICE) or truncated drICE (DeltaN-drICE) in the retina showed no obvious eye phenotype. Although active DCP-1 protein cleaves full-length DCP-1 and full-length drICE in vitro, GMR-DeltaN-dcp-1 did not enhance the eye phenotype of GMR-fl-dcp-1 or GMR-fl-drICE flies. Significantly, GMR-rpr and GMR-grim, but not GMR-hid, dramatically enhanced the eye phenotype of GMR-fl-dcp-1 flies. These results indicate that Reaper and Grim, but not HID, can activate DCP-1 in vivo.

[Acute mesenteric vein thrombosis: diagnosis and management]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the progress in diagnosis and management of acute mesenteric vein thrombosis (AMVT).

METHODS

Fifteen patients with AMVT treated from January 1983 to November 1998 were reviewed retrospectively. They were 7 men and 8 women, aged on average 42 years. The duration from onset of symptoms to admission was 24 - 168 hours (mean 84 hours).

RESULTS

Six patients were diagnosed before operation, while 9 during laparotomy. Two patients received conservative treatment and the rest underwent surgery. The average length of bowel resection was 300 cm. All the patients received anticoagulation therapy with heparin immediately after operation. Local thrombolytic therapy was given to 4 patients. Four patients died in hospital and two had sequelae of short bowel syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

AMVT is rare but a potentially lethal emergency disease. Early diagnosis, anticoagulation and appropriate surgical approach are essential to improve the prognosis. It is important to keep vigilance for AMVT in the patients in the hypercoagulation status, especially when the symptoms are inconsistent with abdominal signs. Color-US and CT appear to be sensitive in the diagnosis of this condition. Local thrombolytic therapy will be effective. Second-look is a necessarily procedure for reserving the bowel that may be alive. Laparoscopy technique will play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment for AMVT.

[Distinctive infrared spectral features in human breast cancer]

Substantial differences were found in the spectral properties of surgical samples from 20 women patients with histologically normal and cancerous breast tissue. The most striking changes in the spectra were observed in the symmetric and asymmetric stretching bands of phosphodiester groups, which shifted to short wavenumber about 3 cm-1 in nu s PO2-, and to long wavenumber about 2 cm-1 in nu s PO2-. The ratio of A1,173/A1,163 increased and that of A1,025/A1,082 decreased, the intensity of symmetric and asymmetric stretching bands of CH3 decreased and those of CH2 increased in all of breast cancer tissues. Our findings indicated that in breast cancer tissue, the degree of hydrogen-bonding of oxygen atoms in the backbone of nucleic acid increased; the content of glycogen decreased; the degree of hydrogen-bonding of OH groups in serine, tyrosine, and threonine residues of cell proteins decreased; and also there were changes in the packing and the conformational structure of the methylene chains of membrane lipids.

Helix tilt of the M2 transmembrane peptide from influenza A virus: an intrinsic property

Solid-state NMR has been used to study the influence of lipid bilayer hydrophobic thickness on the tilt of a peptide (M2-TMP) representing the transmembrane portion of the M2 protein from influenza A. Using anisotropic (15)N chemical shifts as orientational constraints, single-site isotopically labeled M2-TMPs were studied in hydrated dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) lipid bilayers oriented between thin glass plates. These chemical shifts provide orientational information for the molecular frame with respect to the magnetic field in the laboratory frame. When modeled as a uniform ideal alpha-helix, M2-TMP has a tilt of 37(+/-3) degrees in DMPC and 33(+/-3) degrees in DOPC with respect to the bilayer normal in these lipid environments. The difference in helix tilt between the two environments appears to be small. This lack of a substantial change in tilt further suggests that significant interactions occur between the helices, as in an oligomeric state, to prevent a change in tilt in thicker lipid bilayers.

Early immune response in susceptible and resistant mice strains with chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection determines the type of T-helper cell response

Most cystic fibrosis (CF) patients become chronically infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the lungs. The infection is characterized by a pronounced antibody response and a persistant inflammation dominated by polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Moreover a high antibody response correlates with a poor prognosis. We speculated that a change from this Th2-like response to a Th1-like response might decrease the lung inflammation and thus improve the prognosis in CF patients. To investigate this, we infected C3H/HeN and BALB/c mice intratracheally with P. aeruginosa. In addition, we studied the early immune response leading to different Th responses. Mortality was lower in the C3H/HeN mice (p<0.005), they cleared the bacteria faster (day 3 p<0.01, day 7 p<0.02), had a milder lung inflammation (day 7 p<0.01, day 14 p< or =0.0005) and had a Th1-like IgG subclass switch. At day 3, the C3H/HeN mice produced less NO and TNF-alpha, (p<0.01 and p<0.03) and had the lowest IL-10/IL-12 ratio (p< or =0.05). At day 7, the C3H/HeN mice had the highest IFN-gamma (p<0.02), and the lowest IL-4 (p<0.02) production in the lungs. In conclusion, these results show that the Th1-reacting C3H/HeN mice with chronic P. aeruginosa lung infection have a better disease outcome compared to the Th2-reacting BALB/c mice, indicating that a Th1 response might be beneficial in CF patients with chronic P. aeruginosa lung infection.

Death by design: mechanism and control of apoptosis

Active cellular suicide by apoptosis plays important roles in animal development, tissue homeostasis and a wide variety of diseases, including cancer, AIDS, stroke and many neurodegenerative disorders. A central step in the execution of apoptosis is the activation of an unusual class of cysteine proteases, termed caspases, that are widely expressed as inactive zymogens. Originally, the mechanisms for regulating the caspase-based cell death programme seemed to be different in Caenorhabditis elegans, mammals and insects. However, recent results suggest that these apparent differences in the control of cell death reflect our incomplete knowledge, rather than genuine mechanistic differences between different organisms.

HAC-1, a Drosophila homolog of APAF-1 and CED-4 functions in developmental and radiation-induced apoptosis

We have identified a Drosophila homolog of Apaf-1 and ced-4, termed hac-1. Like mammalian APAF-1, HAC-1 can activate caspases in a dATP-dependent manner in vitro. During embryonic development, hac-1 is prominently expressed in regions where cells undergo natural death. Significantly, hac-1 transcription is also rapidly induced upon ionizing irradiation, similar to the proapoptotic gene reaper. Loss of hac-1 function causes reduced cell death, and reducing the dosage of hac-1 suppresses ectopic cell killing upon expression of the dcp-1 procaspase in the retina but has little effect on reaper, hid, and grim-mediated killing. Our data indicate that caspase activation and apoptosis in Drosophila are independently controlled by at least two distinct regulatory pathways that converge at the level of caspase activation.

Multimerin processing by cells with and without pathways for regulated protein secretion

Multimerin is a massive, soluble, homomultimeric, factor V-binding protein found in platelet alpha-granules and in vascular endothelium. Unlike platelets, endothelial cells contain multimerin within granules that lack the secretory granule membrane protein P-selectin, and in culture, they constitutively secrete most of their synthesized multimerin. To further evaluate multimerin's posttranslational processing and storage, we expressed human endothelial cell prepromultimerin in a variety of cell lines, with and without pathways for regulated secretion. The recombinant multimerin produced by these different cells showed variations in its glycosylation, proteolytic processing, and multimer profile, and human embryonic kidney 293 cells recapitulated multimerin's normal processing for constitutive secretion by human endothelial cells. When multimerin was expressed in a neuroendocrine cell line capable of regulated protein secretion, it was efficiently targeted for regulated secretion. However, the multimerin stored in these cells was proteolyzed more extensively than normally occurs in platelets, suggesting that endoproteases similar to those expressed by megakaryocytes are required to produce platelet-type multimerin. The impact of the tissue-specific differences in multimerin's posttranslational processing on its functions is not yet known. Multimerin's sorting and targeting for regulated secretion may be important for its functions and its association with factor V in secretion granules.

[The 1. 54 microm laser and upconversion luminescence of YELPP noncrystalline induced by 969 nm LD laser]

In this paper, the absorption of Er3+, Yb3+ penta-phosphate noncrystalline (YELPP) was measured and the basic spectral parameters were calculated. Adopting the longitudinal-pump method with a domestic diode laser (LD), we achieved CW 1.5 microm chipped laser in China for the first time. The power of 1.5 microm laser was quite stable. The target of 1.5 microm laser reached the international level of early 1990s' in this field. In addition, the up-conversion luminescence was measured under the condition that 1.5 microm laser was either oscillating or not. The relationship between 1.5 microm chipped laser and up-conversion luminescence was analyzed initially.

Abdominal computed tomography for the diagnosis of intra-abdominal sepsis in critically injured patients: fishing in murky waters

HYPOTHESIS

Abdominal computed tomographic (ACT) scans are useful in the evaluation of sepsis of unknown origin in patients with major trauma.

DESIGN

Prospective case series of consecutive patients.

SETTING

Intensive care unit of level I academic trauma center.

PATIENTS

Eighty-five critically injured patients admitted to the intensive care unit in 32 months (6% of all intensive care unit admissions) who developed sepsis of unknown origin.

INTERVENTIONS

One hundred sixty-one ACT scans.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Sensitivity and specificity of the ACT scans, number of patients subjected to changes in treatment following an ACT scan.

RESULTS

Forty-nine patients (58%) had an intraabdominal focus of infection identified on ACT scan. Penetrating trauma and emergent laparotomy were the only independent factors associated with abnormal findings on ACT scan. The sensitivity and specificity of the test were 97.5% and 61.5%, respectively. Overall, 59 patients (69%) benefited from treatment changes after an ACT scan.

CONCLUSION

Abdominal computed tomographic scans reliably identify intra-abdominal foci of infection in patients with major trauma evaluated for sepsis of unknown origin.

Comparison of bone mass in forearm, lumbar vertebra and hip by single and/or dual energy X-ray absorptiometry

OBJECTIVE

Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in normal Chinese women with single X-ray absorptiometry (SXA) and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). These two methods were compared to evaluate the sensitivity in reflecting bone loss.

METHODS

Measurements were performed in 300 women aged 20 to approximately 79 (5 for each age). The 8mm distal, 1/4 distal, ultra distal site of the nondominant forearm were measured with SXA; the AP spine (L2-4), right femoral neck (Neck), Ward's triangle (Ward) and trochantor (Troch) were measured with DEXA. Ten women had 5 repeated measurements to evaluate the reproducibility of the equipments.

RESULTS

The BMD peak for Neck and Ward was found between age 20 to approximately 29, for ultra distal and L2-4 at age 30 to approximately 39, for 8mm distal, 1/4 distal and Troch at age 40 to approximately 49. After reaching the peak values, BMD at all sites decreased with increasing age. The highest rate of yearly loss of BMD was at 8mm distal. Results of measurement showed significant correlation between SXA and DEXA. Comparing with premenopausal women, the bone loss rate in postmenopausal women was faster and highest up to 11 to approximately 15 years and the highest rate was at the Ward.

CONCLUSION

The present study gives the normal values of BMD at seven sites for normal Chinese women. The ages of BMD peak were different at seven sites. The yearly loss of BMD was highest at 8mm distal, it seemed to be the sensitive region for bone loss with age. The postmenopausal women had highly significantly loss bone mass than the premenopausal women. Comparing with premenopause, postmenopause BMD for Ward's triangle with DEXA seemed to be most sensitive to the effect of menopause.

Proteins bound to polyethylene components in patients who have aseptic loosening after total joint arthroplasty. A preliminary report

BACKGROUND

Immunological responses to proteins that adhere to ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene have not, to our knowledge, been examined previously in patients who have aseptic loosening. In the current study, polyethylene components from forty-nine failed prostheses recovered during revision procedures were examined for the presence of antibodies that were bound to the polyethylene surface or that were reactive with other proteins that were bound to the polyethylene surface.

METHODS

The polyethylene components consisted of thirty acetabular cups recovered during revision total hip arthroplasties and nineteen tibial components recovered during revision total knee arthroplasties. After extensive washing, bound proteins were extracted from the polyethylene components with use of 0.1-molar glycine-hydrogen chloride solution followed by four-molar guanidine hydrochloride solution.

RESULTS

Sufficient protein for analysis was recovered from forty-two polyethylene components. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated a minimum of one and a maximum of twelve protein bands, with molecular weights ranging from thirteen to 231 kilodaltons. Immunoblotting revealed the presence of type-I collagen in most (thirty-four) of the forty-two explants, whereas aggrecan proteoglycans were detected in eight samples. Immunoglobulin also was detected in most (thirty-three) extracts, whereas type-II collagen was consistently absent. The presence of autologous antibodies directed against polyethylene-bound proteins in sera drawn at the time of the revision was investigated. Antibodies that were reactive against the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene-bound proteins were detected in twenty-six of the forty-two patients with use of the Western blot technique. The number of reactive bands ranged from one to six, and the strongest binding was directed against a 103-kilodalton protein. Assays for specificity revealed that these sera autologous antibodies were reactive against the type-I collagen that was present in the explant solutions.

CONCLUSIONS

We hypothesize that immunoglobulin complexed with polyethylene may fix complement and that the complement cascade may in turn attract inflammatory cells to the polyethylene surface. Our data support the hypothesis that an immunological response to antigens bound to the polyethylene surface may contribute to aseptic loosening.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Despite improvements in materials and designs of prostheses, aseptic loosening is the most common complication of total joint replacement, frequently leading to revision operations. We examined the immunological response to proteins that bind to ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene in patients who had aseptic loosening and discovered a high prevalence of antibodies to polyethylene-bound proteins. This immunological response may contribute to an inflammatory reaction in the periprosthetic tissue, ultimately leading to increased bone resorption around the prosthesis.

Monte carlo simulation of converging laser beams propagating in biological materials

A new method of Monte Carlo simulation has been developed to simulate the spatial distribution of photon density of converging laser beams propagating in a turbid medium such as the phantom of biological tissue. This method can be used to obtain steady-state light distribution in the tissue phantom for a continuous-wave laser beam. We have calculated the steady-state distribution of the photon density and found important features that are uniquely related to the propagation of the converging beams in the tissue phantom.

Experimental acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in mice. II. Influence of Staphylococcus aureus infection on T-cell immunity

A murine model of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis was used to study the immune response following Staphylococcus aureus infection and to examine the hypothesis that the bacteria may modify T-cell responses due to the production of bacterial enterotoxins with mitogenic or superantigenic activity. Lymph-node T cell-receptor expression was assessed with use of flow cytometry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction techniques, and increased apoptosis (programmed cell death) in T-cell subsets was monitored. The expression and levels of circulating cytokines and T-cell cytokines within tissues surrounding the damaged area of the proximal tibia were also investigated. Analysis of T-cell receptors in experimental osteomyelitis revealed two distinct patterns of T-cell evolution during the disease. Certain T-cell subsets (Vbeta2, Vbeta3, Vbeta9, and Vbeta10) were activated and expanded during the first 24 hours after infection; they reached maximum levels 6 days after infection, followed by a return to pre-infection levels. In contrast, other T-cell subsets (Vbeta11, Vbeta12, Vbeta13, Vbeta14, and Vbeta16) contracted during the first 24 hours after infection, followed by expansion to a maximum level 9 days after infection. Activation and proliferation of T-cell subsets (notably Vbeta14 T cells) was followed by apoptosis, suggesting that staphylococcal bone infection caused superantigenic-like effects on the mouse immune system. Analysis of cytokine responses in local tissue revealed that the T-cell cytokines interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma showed a late and relatively short activation pattern compared with the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. The results suggest that Staphylococcus aureus bone infection may undermine the antibacterial immune response through downregulation of T-cell immunity and immune-cytokine production, which could increase the severity of the systemic infection and local osseous destruction that occur with acute hematogenous osteomyelitis.

[Study on the human serums by absorption spectra]

The absorption spectra of normal human and cancer patient serums were measured, and those of human serum after adding some cancer cells were also measured. The results showed some difference in absorbance among the three kinds of serums. Some useful results were obtained.

[The significance of midline structure shifting in the patients of cerebral hemorrhage in basal ganglia by computerized tomography]

Thirty-six patients of cerebral hemorrhage in basal ganglia were studied between medline structure shifting on CT scan and assessment of clinic neurological function, defect (AND). The differences were significant between the following two groups: including in parameter A (the distance from center of hematoma to normal midline), 26.01 +/- 6.06 mm in survivor group, 21.53 +/- 5.03 mm in death group; in parameter B (the distance from the farthest point in shifted midline to the normal midline), 3.84 +/- 2.66 mm in survivor group, 10.32 +/- 4.24 mm in death group; in parameter C (ratio of the partial length of shifted midline to all length of the normal midline), 0.347 +/- 0.136 in survivor group; 0.582 +/- 0.082 in death group. Having analized these parameters, the authors found that the mortality rates were 0 and 100% if B was < or = 4.0 mm and > 10.0 mm respectively and the mortality rates were 0 and 90% if C was < or = 0.30 and > 0.50. The authors also found that there was closed correlation between the parameters B or C described midline shifting and AND.

DNA repair and survival in human lens epithelial cells with extended lifespan

PURPOSE

Ultraviolet-B radiation (290-320 nm) produces cataracts in animals and has been associated with human cataract formation in several epidemiological studies. UVB radiation decreases the long-term cell survival and changes the pattern of protein synthesis in cultured lens epithelial cells. However, the relationship between DNA photoproduct formation and long term cell survival in human lens epithelial cells is not known. In the present work, we used human lens epithelial cells with extended lifespan (HLE B-3 cells) to examine the kinetics of DNA repair and cell survival after UVB exposure.

METHODS

Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and pyrimidine-pyrimidone (6-4) photoproducts were analyzed by radioimmunoassay. Long-term survival of the cells was determined by measuring their ability form colonies when plated at low density.

RESULTS

HLE B-3 cells were repair competent after UVB (302 nm) exposure. Excision repair of the (6-4) photoproduct was more efficient than that of the cyclobutane dimer. Ninety five percent of the (6-4) photoproducts were repaired 24 h after 400 J/m2 UVB exposure, whereas 50% of the cyclobutane dimers were repaired during this time. When cells were split for the clonogenic assay immediately after irradiation, only 10% of the cells formed colonies following 7 days of culture in the serum-containing medium. When cells were split for the clonogenic assay after a 48 hour incubation in serum-containing medium, the colony-forming ability of the irradiated cells increased to 60% following culture in a serum-containing medium.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate a close correlation between the repair of cyclobutane dimers and the increase in the long-term survival of the cells as measured by their colony-forming ability. The extended lifespan human lens epithelial cells HLE B-3 may be a useful model to investigate the mechanism and regulation of UVB-induced DNA repair in human lens cells.

Colonic resection in trauma: colostomy versus anastomosis

OBJECTIVES

The management of colonic trauma is well established for simple injuries with primary repair, and ileocolostomy for right-sided injuries that undergo colonic resection. Segmental colon resection for injuries to the left colon can be managed with either an end colostomy or primary anastomosis. A retrospective review was performed to evaluate the outcome and complications associated with colonic resection for trauma to determine the risk factors associated with anastomotic leakage.

METHODS

A retrospective review included patients undergoing colonic resection for trauma. The patients were stratified into colostomy, ileocolostomy, and colocolostomy groups. Patient demographics and colon-related complications were collected. Comparison between the colostomy and colocolostomy groups was performed to determine the difference in outcome. The outcome of right-sided colon injuries managed by either an ileocolonic or colocolonic anastomosis was compared. Analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with an increased risk of anastomotic leakage.

RESULTS

One hundred forty patients over a 66-month period were included in the analysis. Overall, 41% (57 of 140) of patients developed a colon-related complication; 28% (39 of 140) of patients developed an abscess. Overall, the anastomotic leak rate was 13% (7 of 56) in the colocolostomy group, 4% (2 of 56) in the ileocolostomy group. Right-sided colon injuries managed with a colocolonic anastomosis had a higher incidence of anastomotic leakage than ileocolonic anastomosis, i.e., 14 versus 4% respectively. Of the seven patients who developed a leak from a colocolonic anastomosis, two patients died (29%). Univariate analysis identified an Abdominal Trauma Index Score > or = 25 (p = 0.03) or hypotension in the emergency department (p = 0.001) to be associated with increased risk of developing an anastomotic leak from a colocolonic anastomosis.

CONCLUSION

Colonic injuries that are managed with resection are associated with a high complication rate regardless of whether an anastomosis or colostomy is performed. Colonic resection and anastomosis can be performed safely in the majority of patients with severe colonic injury, including injuries to the left colon. For injuries of the right colon, an ileocolostomy has a lower incidence of leakage than a colocolonic anastomosis. For injuries to the left colon, there remains a role for colostomy specifically in the subgroups of patients with a high ATI or hypotension, because these patients are at greater risk for an anastomotic leak. The role of resection and primary anastomosis versus colostomy in colonic trauma requires further investigation.

[Function of modified YSI membrane in glucose sensor]

This study was designed to improve the stability, accuracy and interference resistance of the glucose sensor system and to fomodify the correlation between electrode current and glucose concentration. Catalase was immobilized in YSI membrane. Experiments in vitro were conducted in different concentrations of glucose or ascorbic acid or paracetomol. The results showed the background current, 0.37 +/- 0.06 nA; the drift values in 0 mM G.S. and 10 mM G.S. were (0.20 +/- 0.14)%/30 hr and (3.22 +/- 0.40)%/30 hr respectively. The mean value of drift in 10 mM G.S. was 0.103% mM-1hr-1. The correlation between electrode current and glucose concentration gave satisfaction (r = 0.986); it ranged from 0 mM G.S. to 20 mM G.S. Lower concentration of ascorbic cid could not interfere n the glucose sensor system; higher concentration of ascorbic acid and paracetomol only produced very low interference current. These suggest that the modified YSI membrane contributes greatly to a stable, accurate and reliable glucose sensor system.

The molecular chaperone alphaA-crystallin enhances lens epithelial cell growth and resistance to UVA stress

alphaA-Crystallin (alphaA) is a member of the small heat shock protein (sHSP) family and has the ability to prevent denatured proteins from aggregating in vitro. Lens epithelial cells express relatively low levels of alphaA, but in differentiated fiber cells, alphaA is the most abundant soluble protein. The lenses of alphaA-knock-out mice develop opacities at an early age, implying a critical role for alphaA in the maintenance of fiber cell transparency. However, the function of alpha-crystallin in the lens epithelium is unknown. To investigate the physiological function of alphaA in lens epithelial cells, we used the following two systems: alphaA knock-out (alphaA(-/-)) mouse lens epithelial cells and human lens epithelial cells that overexpress alphaA. The growth rate of alphaA(-/-) mouse lens epithelial cells was reduced by 50% compared with wild type cells. Cell cycle kinetics, measured by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis of propidium iodide-stained cells, indicated a relative deficiency of alphaA(-/-) cells in the G2/M phases. Exposure of mouse lens epithelial cells to physiological levels of UVA resulted in an increase in the number of apoptotic cells in the cultures. Four hours after irradiation the fraction of apoptotic cells in the alphaA(-/-) cultures was increased 40-fold over wild type. In cells lacking alphaA, UVA exposure modified F-actin, but actin was protected in cells expressing alphaA. Stably transfected cell lines overexpressing human alphaA were generated by transfecting extended life span human lens epithelial cells with the mammalian expression vector construct pCI-neoalphaA. Cells overexpressing alphaA were resistant to UVA stress, as determined by clonogenic survival. alphaA remained cytoplasmic after exposure to either UVA or thermal stress indicating that, unlike other sHSPs, the protective effect of alphaA was not associated with its relocalization to the nucleus. These results indicate that alphaA has important cellular functions in the lens over and above its well characterized role in refraction.

Effects of ginseng treatment on neutrophil chemiluminescence and immunoglobulin G subclasses in a rat model of chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia

Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is almost impossible to eradicate with antibiotic treatment. In the present study, the effects of treatment with the Chinese herbal medicine ginseng on blood polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) chemiluminescence and serum specific antibody responses were studied in a rat model of chronic P. aeruginosa pneumonia mimicking CF. An aqueous extract of ginseng was administered by subcutaneous injection at a dosage of 25 mg/kg of body weight/day for 2 weeks. Saline was used as a control. Two weeks after the start of ginseng treatment, significantly increased PMN chemiluminescence (P Collapse

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MESH Headings

• Animals
• Antibodies, Bacterial/blood
• Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/cytology
• Cystic Fibrosis/complications
• Disease Models, Animal
• Female
• Immunoglobulin G/blood
• Luminescent Measurements
• Lung/pathology
• Macrophages, Alveolar/immunology
• Macrophages, Alveolar/metabolism
• Neutrophil Activation
• Neutrophils/immunology
• Panax/therapeutic use
• Phytotherapy
• Plant Extracts/therapeutic use
• Plants, Medicinal
• Pneumonia, Bacterial/drug therapy
• Pneumonia, Bacterial/immunology
• Pneumonia, Bacterial/pathology
• Pseudomonas Infections/drug therapy
• Pseudomonas Infections/immunology
• Pseudomonas Infections/pathology
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa/immunology
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred Lew
• Respiratory Burst

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