[Clinical effects of individualized free anterolateral thigh flap in repairing complex refractory wound]

Objective: To explore the clinical effects of individualized free anterolateral thigh flap in repairing complex refractory wound. Methods: From July 2015 to May 2019, 19 patients with complex refractory wounds were hospitalized in Yulin NO.1 People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, including 12 males and 7 female, aged 13-67 years. There were 5 patients with multiple tissue defects, 7 patients with large area of wounds, and 7 patients with wounds in special areas. The sizes of wounds after complete debridement were 8 cm×5 cm-23 cm×7 cm. According to the repair demand, the wounds in 5 patients were repaired with anterolateral thigh flaps and flow-through, the wounds in 7 patients were repaired with anterolateral thigh flaps chimed with lateral thigh muscle flaps, with vascular anastomosis in 2 patients, the wounds in 6 patients were repaired with unilateral anterolateral thigh lobulated flaps, and the wound in 1 patient was repaired with bilateral anterolateral thigh flap in series connection. The sizes of flaps were 10 cm×7 cm-25 cm×9 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly or repaired with thin split-thickness skin graft of head. The survival of the flaps, the appearance of the donor sites, and wounds repair after the operation and during follow-up were observed. Results: The lobulated flap in 1 patient had local necrosis after the operation and finally healed by debridement, dressing change, and transplanting medium split-thickness skin graft in groin. The flaps in 18 patients survived with good blood supply, and the lobulated flap tissue was swollen in 1 of 18 patients. The donor sites which were directly sutured in 18 patients only had linear scar, and the donor site which was repaired with thin split-thickness skin graft of head in 1 patient had flaky scar. Follow-up of 1-12 months showed that all the wounds healed well, the flap thinning operations were performed in 5 patients in 3 months post operation because the flaps were slightly bloated. The CT angiography after the operation showed that the anastomosed blood vessels were unobstructed in 7 patients with reconstructed local blood supply. Conclusions: The special forms of anterolateral thigh flap, such as lobulation, series connection, and chimerism can be designed according to the anatomical characteristics of the descending branch of the lateral femoral artery to meet individualized repair demand for complex refractory wounds, and achieve the double purposes of making full use of the donor site tissue and good repair of the recipient site.

[Clinical features and outcome of treatment for novel coronavirus pneumonia: a meta-analysis]

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and outcome of treatment for novel coronavirus pneumonia. Methods: Literature on novel coronavirus pneumonia was retrieved from PubMed and EMBASE databases. The relevant data was extracted and a meta-analysis was performed using StatsDirect statistical software V.2.8.0 to calculate the combined odds ratio. Results: Seven studies were included, consisting of 1594 cases. The meta-analysis result showed that the most common clinical symptoms of the novel coronavirus pneumonia were fever (91.6%) and cough (64.5%), followed by dyspnea (32.8%) and sputum (28.1%). Headache (10.5%), sore throat (11.2%), hemoptysis (3.2%), diarrhea (6.6%) and the other symptoms were relatively rare. Aspartate aminotransferase (29%), alanine transaminase (22.7%), and total bilirubin (11.7%) levels were elevated, except for serum albumin levels (80.4%). The common therapeutic agents used were antibiotics (87.7%), antiviral drugs (75.5%), and glucocorticoids (26.6%), while antifungal agents (7.7%) were used in few. Mechanical ventilation (13.4%), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (1.9%), and continuous renal replacement therapy (3.8%) were used in severe cases. The rate of mortality in hospital was 7.7%, respectively. Heterogeneity between studies was significant; however, subgroup and sensitivity analysis had failed to identify clear sources of heterogeneity. Conclusion: Fever, cough and liver dysfunction are the main clinical manifestations of this disease and the mortality rate is low.

Isolation, identification and character analysis of Streptococcus dysgalactiae from Megalobrama terminalis

Pure bacterial cultures were isolated from different tissues of moribund Megalobrama terminalis from a high mortality event that occurred at a farm in Foshan, China. Two isolates (F2 and F3) were identified as Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae based on morphological and biochemical detection as well as molecular analysis. In brain heart infusion broth, the best growth conditions of isolate F3 were 35ºC, salinity 5‰ and pH 7. Furthermore, infection with isolate F3 (1.2 × 10⁶  CFU/fish) led to the death of M. terminalis and zebrafish (Danio rerio). However, isolate F3 had no obvious pathogenicity to tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus). When the water temperature was 29ºC, the corresponding mortality rates for zebrafish infected by isolate F3 were higher than those at 23ºC. Culture for 24 and 72 hr with isolate F3 resulted in the same mortality rates for zebrafish. The antimicrobial susceptibility assay revealed that isolate F3 was susceptible to ampicillin, florfenicol and several other antibiotics but resistant to nalidixic acid, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, neomycin and amikacin. To our knowledge, this is the first report that S. dysgalactiae infected the subtropical freshwater fish M. terminalis, which indicates that this bacterium is a potential threat to subtropical freshwater fish.

The mechanism of COX-2 regulating HERG channel in gastric cancer cells

OBJECTIVES

To elucidate the signal transduction pathway, by which cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) regulates human erg-related gene (HERG) current in gastric cancer cells.

METHODS

The HERG mRNA, protein and current in gastric cancer cells transfected with or without COX-2 antisense vector were measured by RT-PCR, Western blot and patch-clamp, respectively. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) concentration in gastric cancer cells transfected with or without COX-2 antisense vector was measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

Transfection with COX-2 antisense vector did not alter the expression of HERG mRNA and protein, but it diminished the amplitude of HERG current in gastric cancer cells (p < 0.05). The cAMP concentration in gastric cancer cells transfected with COX-2 antisense vector was lower than that in parental gastric cancer cells (p < 0.05). COX-2 inhibitor and PGE2 had influence on the HERG current in gastric cancer cells. COX-2 inhibitor reduced the amplitude of HERG current in gastric cancer cells and PGE2 enhanced the amplitude. However, in gastric cancer cells transfected with HERG mutant deleting cAMP-binding domain, both COX-2 inhibitor and PGE2 did not show significant effects on HERG current. cAMP agonist enhanced the amplitude of HERG current and cAMP antagonist reduced the amplitude in gastric cancer cells. Both agonist and antagonist of cAMP had no significant effect on HERG current in gastric cancer cells transfected with HERG mutant deleting cAMP binding domain. PKA inhibitor did not influence the HERG current whether in parental gastric cancer cells or in gastric cancer cells transfected with HERG mutant.

Hypoxia and Serum deprivation protected MiaPaCa-2 cells from KAI1-induced proliferation inhibition through autophagy pathway activation in solid tumors

PURPOSE

KAI1 closely correlates with pancreatic cancer metastasis. There might be some factors that protect the cells from a proliferation inhibition by KAI1 in the solid tumors' microenvironment. Hypoxia and ischemia are the main characteristics of the microenvironment within solid tumors. Whether they affect the KAI1 inhibitory effects on cell proliferation is still unclear.

METHODS

MiaPaCa-2 human pancreatic cancer cells do not express KAI1 protein. However, after being infected with Ad5-KAI1, they expressed KAI1 protein. We cultured them under hypoxic and serum-free conditions to simulate the solid tumor hypoxic-ischemic microenvironment. The cells were divided into the control, hypoxic, serum-free, and hypoxic with serum-free groups. The proliferation and apoptosis were observed by CCK8 and Annexin V-FITC/PI, respectively. The green fluorescent protein-labeled light chain 3 association with autophagosome membranes was detected by confocal microscopy. The ratio of LC3-II-LC3-I expression level was detected by western blot. Pretreatment of 3-MA was used to inhibit the autophagy. We, then observed whether the hypoxic and serum-free conditions could change the effect of KAI1 on cell survival and whether the pretreatment of 3-MA could inhibit the effect of hypoxic and serum-free conditions on KAI1 function.

RESULTS

Hypoxia and serum-free media effectively reduced the apoptosis and proliferation inhibition caused by KAI1 and was beneficial to the cell survival. 3-MA pretreatment effectively blocked the protective effect of hypoxia and serum-free media on the cells by autophagy block.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum-free media and hypoxia protected the MiaPaCa-2 cells from a KAI1-induced apoptosis and proliferation inhibition via autophagy induction.

Isolation and characterization of eighteen polymorphic microsatellite loci in Schizopygopsis younghusbandi Regan and cross-amplification in three other Schizothoracinae species

Eighteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from Schizopygopsis younghusbandi Regan and the characterization of these loci was assessed in 46 individuals collected from the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, China. The numberof alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 14. The expected heterozygosity and Shannon-Wiener diversity index ranged from 0.022 to 0.879 and from 0.059 to 2.313, respectively. The cross-species amplification and applicability of these loci were tested in three other Schizothoracinae species belonging to Schizothorax and Oxygymnocypris. These loci will be useful for the evaluation of genetic diversity and population genetic structure in S. younghusbandi and other related species.

Two susceptible diabetogenic variants near/in MTNR1B are associated with fasting plasma glucose in a Han Chinese cohort

AIMS

To investigate the two variants (rs1387153 and rs10830963) near/in the melatonin receptor 1B gene (MTNR1B) and to determine their association with Type 2 diabetes, as well as with the regulation of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in Han Chinese subjects.

METHODS

The two variants were genotyped in 1912 unrelated Type 2 diabetic patients and 2041 healthy individuals. Association with Type 2 diabetes was calculated by logistic regression with adjustments for sex, age and body mass index. The possible connection between the risk alleles and FPG was analysed by multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

The two polymorphisms were associated with FPG levels in the healthy individuals (P = 0.003 and P = 0.002, respectively), and the G allele of rs10830963 was also associated with an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes in our patient sample (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.23; P = 0.024). Moreover, the linkage disequilibrium degree of two single nucleotide polymorphisms was high (r(2) = 0.66), which is similar to that of Europeans.

CONCLUSIONS

The common variant in MTNR1B confers the risk of Type 2 diabetes and modulates FPG in both the Han Chinese and European populations.

Expression of estrogen receptor (ER) -alpha and -beta transcripts in the neonatal and adult rat cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and olfactory bulb

In the present study expression of estrogen receptor subtype -alpha (ERalpha) and -beta (ERbeta) in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and olfactory bulb was investigated and compared between neonatal (1 to approximately 3-days-old) and adult (250 to approximately 350 g) rats, using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). No ERalpha transcripts were detectable in the adult cerebellum and olfactory bulb, whereas very weak expression of ERalpha was present in the adult cerebral cortex. No significant difference in ERbeta transcripts was detectable between the neonatal and adult rats. While transcripts for both ER subtypes were co-expressed in these brain areas of neonatal rats, although ERalpha expression was significantly weaker than ERbeta. Even in the cerebral cortex known to contain both ER subtypes in adult rats, ERalpha transcripts in neonatal rats were much higher than in adult. These observations provide evidence for the existence of different expression patterns of ERalpha/ERbeta transcripts in these three brain areas between the neonatal and adult rats, suggesting that each ER subtype may play a distinct role in the regulation of differentiation, development, and functions of the brain by estrogen.

Differential expression of metastasis-associated genes in papilla of vater and pancreatic cancer correlates with disease stage

PURPOSE

Papilla of Vater cancer has a much better prognosis than pancreatic cancer. It is not known whether this is the result of differences in the tumor biology of the two malignancies. Because metastasis formation is a critical step in tumor progression and a negative prognostic factor, we compared the expression of nm23-H1 and KAI1, two metastasis-suppressing genes, in papilla of Vater cancer and pancreatic cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Analysis was performed in nine normal human papilla of Vater samples, 27 papilla of Vater cancers, 16 normal pancreatic samples, and 29 pancreatic cancers. Expression of nm23-H1 and KAI1 was analyzed by Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization. In addition, immunohistochemistry was performed to localize the respective proteins.

RESULTS

There was no difference in nm23-H1 and KAI1 mRNA expression levels in normal versus cancerous papilla of Vater samples. In contrast, nm23-H1 and KAI1 RNA expression was upregulated in early tumor stages of pancreatic cancer and reduced in advanced tumor stages. When expression of nm23-H1 and KAI1 RNA was analyzed by use of in situ hybridization, normal epithelial cells of the papilla of Vater exhibited mRNA staining intensity similar to that of papilla of Vater cancer cells. Similar levels of nm23-H1 and KAI1 immunoreactivity also were observed in these samples. In contrast, early stage pancreatic cancer samples exhibited stronger nm23-H1 and KAI1 immunoreactivity than normal controls. Furthermore, early pancreatic cancer stages exhibited higher KAI1 and nm23-H1 immunostaining than advanced tumor stages.

CONCLUSION

Differences in the expression patterns of the two tumor suppressor genes nm23-H1 and KAI1 may contribute to the different prognoses of papilla of Vater cancer and pancreatic cancer. Our findings support the hypothesis that biologic differences rather than earlier diagnosis influence the different outcomes of these two tumor entities.

[The effect of autocrine factors on development of early embryos of mouse]

Two-cell-stage embryos were flushed from the oviducts on Day 2. Zygotes were collected from oviducts on Day 1 (Fertilization In Situ, ISF) or derived from fertilization in vitro (IVF). 2-cell embryos had a high rate of blastocyst development to each embryo concentration from 1 embryo/microliter to 1 embryo/1000 microliters. The zygotes produced by either ISF or IVF were adversely affected by reducing the embryo concentration over this range (P < 0.001), with approximately 82.5% of ISF zygotes developing to blastocysts at highest concentration but only 22.3% at the lowest. For IVF zygotes the corresponding results were 46.3% and 5.2%. The number of cells in each blastocyst from 2-cell embryos was significantly higher than that from ISF and IVF group. The media supplementing Platelet-activating factor (PAF) caused a significant increase in the rate of blastocyst development of IVF zygotes at embryo concentration of 1 embryo/10 microliters (10 ng/ml) and 1 embryo/100 microliters (100 ng/ml). Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) (10 ng/ml) also stimulated development of IVF zygotes when they were cultured at the concentration of 1 embryo/10 microliters. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) was no effect over range of 1-1000 ng/ml to embryo development. The results show that factors necessary for normal embryo development are diluted to suboptimal levels during culture at low embryo concentration. The PAF, IGF-I partially compensate the effects of low embryo concentration during culture and play important roles as autocrine embryotrophic factors.

Connective tissue growth factor in human liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) belongs to a family of factors that regulate fibrogenesis and wound healing. While the significance of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) in liver fibrosis is well established, the role of CTGF in fibrosing hepatopathy is still unknown.

METHODS

CTGF was analyzed in 10 normal and in 16 cirrhotic liver tissue samples. Northern blot analysis was used to examine the concomitant expression of CTGF and TGF-beta1 mRNAs, and the cellular localization of CTGF mRNA was studied by in situ hybridization. For identification of myofibroblasts and activated hepatic stellate cells, alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) immunohistochemistry was used.

RESULTS

Northern blot analysis showed 6.5-fold enhanced expression of CTGF mRNA and 7.8-fold enhanced expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA in liver cirrhosis in comparison with normal controls (p<0.01). By in situ hybridization, CTGF mRNA was detectable in only a few spindle cells in the portal tracts in normal liver samples. In contrast, there was strong expression of CTGF mRNA in fibroblasts and myofibroblast-like cells present in fibrous septa surrounding the cirrhotic nodules, in stellate cells, in endothelial cells and in mesenchymal cells around ductular proliferations, and in ductular epithelial cells. There was a strong correlation between CTGF mRNA and TGF-beta1 mRNA as well as the degree of fibrosis (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Overexpression of CTGF in liver cirrhosis, especially in fibroblasts/myofibroblasts and stellate cells, suggests that this novel factor may play an important role in hepatic fibrosis.

Growth factors and cytokines in pancreatic carcinogenesis

Pancreatic cancer is a deadly disease challenging basic and clinical researchers alike in characterizing its pathobiology and finding better treatment options. A number of molecular alterations including gene mutations such as k-ras, p53, and Smad4 and aberrant expression of a variety of genes have been identified in recent years. This review focuses on two families of growth factors and growth factor receptors which are representative for the molecular alterations observed in pancreatic cancer: the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily of serine-threonine kinase receptors and their ligands, which usually act as negative growth regulators, and the epidermal growth factor receptor family and their ligands, which have the potential to act as growth promoters in pancreatic cancer. In addition, we will discuss the role of the cytokines TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-6 and its effects on pancreatic cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Pancreatic cancer cell biology consists of complex interactions of various factors, and a better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of this disorder might lead to better treatment strategies in the near future.

KAI1, a new metastasis suppressor gene, is reduced in metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma

Down-regulation of KAI1 expression has been shown to be associated with formation of metastases or disease progression in prostate and pancreatic cancer. In the present study we analyzed the expression pattern of KAI1 in metastatic and nonmetastatic hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) in comparison with normal livers to evaluate whether alteration of KAI1 also facilitates the metastatic ability in this malignancy. Thirty-nine primary HCCs and 10 normal liver tissue samples were studied for KAI1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression with use of Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization. By Northern blot analysis, moderate to strong KAI1 mRNA expression was present in normal liver samples. In contrast, KAI1 mRNA expression in tissue samples of primary HCCs was markedly decreased compared with normal controls. The normal/tumor ratio of KAI1 mRNA expression was 2.6:1 (P <.01). Primary HCCs that gave rise to metastasis showed significantly lower KAI1 mRNA levels than nonmetastasized HCCs (P <. 05). As seen by in situ hybridization, moderate to strong cytoplasmic KAI1 mRNA staining was present in almost all normal hepatocytes. Bile ducts, blood vessels, and connective tissue showed no or only faint KAI1 mRNA expression in the normal liver samples. In nonmetastatic HCCs, the cancer cells exhibited in situ hybridization signals that were similar to the normal controls. In contrast, most of the primary HCC cells in samples with metastases showed only faint or moderate KAI1 mRNA expression predominantly in the perinuclear regions. When KAI1 mRNA expression of primary hepatocellular cancer cells was compared with metastasized cancer cells in lymph nodes, with intrahepatic satellite metastasis, or with peritoneal metastasis in the same patients, significantly lower (P <.01) KAI1 mRNA levels were present in the metastasized HCC cells. Reduced KAI1 mRNA in HCC cells seems to influence their metastatic ability and thereby enhances the malignant potential of HCC.

Reduced KAI1 expression in pancreatic cancer is associated with lymph node and distant metastases

KAI1 belongs to a structurally distinct family of membrane glycoproteins, which function via cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions, thereby potentially influencing the ability of cancer cells to invade tissues and to metastasize into lymph nodes and distant organs. In the present study, we examined KAI1 expression in lymph node and liver metastases in comparison with primary pancreatic cancer to evaluate its influence on metastasis. KAI1 mRNA analysis was performed by Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization. In addition, the respective protein was studied by immunostaining. Fourteen primary pancreatic cancer samples in which no lymph node metastases were present and 25 primary pancreatic cancer samples in which lymph node metastases were present at the time of tumor resection were included. In 20 of these cases, primary pancreatic cancer tissues and corresponding lymph node metastases from the same patient were studied. Furthermore, 11 liver metastases were available for KAI1 analysis. Increased steady-state levels of KAI1 mRNA were found in 33/39 (85%) primary pancreatic cancers in comparison with normal controls. Statistical analysis of KAI1 mRNA levels and clinical parameters of the patients revealed that KAI1 mRNA levels were significantly higher in non-metastasized tumors compared with tumors in which lymph node or distant metastases were present. In lymph node metastases KAI1 mRNA expression was lower than in the corresponding primary tumors: In 14 of 20 lymph node metastases no KAI1 mRNA expression and in 6 of 20 lymph node metastases only weak KAI1 mRNA levels were present in some cancer cells. Cancer cells of distant metastases were devoid of or exhibited low KAI1 mRNA levels compared with those of primary pancreatic cancers. A similar pattern was observed by immunostaining. These data support the hypothesis that KAI1 gene expression might influence the metastatic ability of pancreatic cancer cells in vivo. Reduction of KAI1 appears to promote cancer cell spread in lymph nodes and distant organs.

Reduced KAI1 expression in pancreatic cancer is associated with lymph node and distant metastases

KAI1 belongs to a structurally distinct family of membrane glycoproteins, which function via cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions, thereby potentially influencing the ability of cancer cells to invade tissues and to metastasize into lymph nodes and distant organs. In the present study, we examined KAI1 expression in lymph node and liver metastases in comparison with primary pancreatic cancer to evaluate its influence on metastasis. KAI1 mRNA analysis was performed by Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization. In addition, the respective protein was studied by immunostaining. Fourteen primary pancreatic cancer samples in which no lymph node metastases were present and 25 primary pancreatic cancer samples in which lymph node metastases were present at the time of tumor resection were included. In 20 of these cases, primary pancreatic cancer tissues and corresponding lymph node metastases from the same patient were studied. Furthermore, 11 liver metastases were available for KAI1 analysis. Increased steady-state levels of KAI1 mRNA were found in 33/39 (85%) primary pancreatic cancers in comparison with normal controls. Statistical analysis of KAI1 mRNA levels and clinical parameters of the patients revealed that KAI1 mRNA levels were significantly higher in non-metastasized tumors compared with tumors in which lymph node or distant metastases were present. In lymph node metastases KAI1 mRNA expression was lower than in the corresponding primary tumors: In 14 of 20 lymph node metastases no KAI1 mRNA expression and in 6 of 20 lymph node metastases only weak KAI1 mRNA levels were present in some cancer cells. Cancer cells of distant metastases were devoid of or exhibited low KAI1 mRNA levels compared with those of primary pancreatic cancers. A similar pattern was observed by immunostaining. These data support the hypothesis that KAI1 gene expression might influence the metastatic ability of pancreatic cancer cells in vivo. Reduction of KAI1 appears to promote cancer cell spread in lymph nodes and distant organs.

KAI1 is unchanged in metastatic and nonmetastatic esophageal and gastric cancers

Down-regulation of KAI1 mRNA expression has been shown to be associated with the formation of metastases or disease progression in pancreatic cancer. Whether KAI1 possesses similar characteristics in other malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract is not known. Here, we compared the patterns of KAI1 mRNA expression in 41 esophageal cancers and 35 stomach cancers to assess whether KAI1 might also be of biological relevance in the metastatic ability of these tumors. By Northern blot analysis, KAI1 mRNA levels ranged widely in both normal and cancerous esophageal and gastric tissue samples, with no statistical differences. No association between KAI1 mRNA expression and tumor stage or tumor differentiation was seen in these tumors. In addition, KAI1 mRNA expression was similar in primary esophageal and gastric cancer samples with or without metastases. By in situ hybridization, KAI1 mRNA expression was evident in the cytoplasm of most squamous epithelial cells in the normal esophagus and in nonmucosal epithelial cells of the normal stomach. The staining intensity in the esophageal and gastric cancer cells was similar to that in the normal controls. This differential pattern of KAI1 mRNA expression in esophageal and gastric cancers in comparison to pancreatic cancer indicates that KAI1 seems to influence the potential of gastrointestinal cancer cells to metastasize differently. In esophageal and gastric cancers, the formation of metastases is not dependent on the reduction of KAI1 in the cancer cells.

Computer morphometry for quantitative measurement of liver fibrosis: comparison with Knodell's score, colorimetry and conventional description reports

Liver fibrosis is currently described quite subjectively or, at best, semiquantitatively by scoring systems. In order to measure the severity of liver fibrosis quantitatively and to compare this with established methods, such as Knodell's scoring system, the colorimetric method and conventional description reports, we undertook the present study. A personal computer with an image grabber card and a microscope equipped with a computer-controlled slide-driver was used for computer morphometry. The principle behind morphometry is based on the different colours of hepatocytes and fibres following staining with Masson's trichrome stain. There were 31 patients (25 male, six female) recruited into the present study with a mean +/- SD age of 41.6 +/- 15 years (range 24-66 years). Of these patients, 16 had chronic hepatitis B, 12 had chronic hepatitis C and three were alcoholics. Colorimetric methods and Knodell's fibrosis score were performed according to established protocols. Conventional description reports were obtained from reviews of patient charts. The results from computer morphometry were highly correlated with results from the colorimetric method, with a correlation coefficiency gamma = 0.85 (P<0.0001). The results from computer morphometry also correlated with both Knodell's scoring system (gamma = 0.69; P<0.001) and conventional description reports (gamma = 0.46; P<0.01). Results from Knodell's scoring system were significantly correlated with computer morphometry, as follows: score 0, 2.7 +/- 1.4; score 1, 5.7 +/- 1.2; score 2, 7.7 +/- 2.3; score 3, 10.7 +/- 3.2; score 4, 21.8 +/- 14.1. The trend was statistically significant by the Wilcoxon rank sum test. In conclusion, our computerized morphometry system is a reliable tool for the evaluation of the severity of liver fibrosis and can be used as a tool for the objective quantification of liver fibrosis.

[A study on expression of the heat shock suppressed gene in distal organs of rats after scalding]

In order to address the question whether stress in intact higher animals may induce cellular heat shock response in distal organs, the inhibition of normal gene expression was studied on the basis of our previous findings about the induction of heat shock proteins in liver and brain of rats after scalding. Male SD rats were scalded on the back, 10-240 min thereafter decapitated, and the heat shock suppressed gene-1 was quantitated by dot blotting. The results showed that gene-1 decreased rapidly after scalding in both the organs, and did not recover to control levels even 240 min after scalding. The decrease of gene-1 went parallell with the severity of scalding. Thus it may be concluded that stress may induce heat shock response of distant organs in intact animals. Possible pathological significance of these findings was discussed.

[SC6 antigen for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer before operation]

SC6 antigen, defined by monoclonal antibody SC6 purified by our laboratory, was measured with a sandwich immunoradiometric assay. Its normal upper limit was considered 41 U/ml. Levels of serum SC6 antigen, a new tumor marker for pancreatic cancer, were assayed in 42 patients who were diagnosed as having pancreatic cancer before operation, acute pancreatitis in 16, and chronic pancreatitis in 7, involving 40 healthy controls. The concentration of SC6 antigen of 19 from the 42 patients was higher than normal upper limit. 15 of the 19 patients was last diagnosed as having pancreatic cancer by operation and pathology. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of this assay for pancreatic cancer was 76.2% (15/21), 94% and 75%. The levels of SC6 antigen in 4 patients with pancreatic cancer were observed in different times. The false positive rate of serum SC6 antigen was lower than that of CA19-9. The results show that the antigen is significant for diagnosis, prognosis and observation of the change of serum SC6 antigen for pancreatic cancer. It may be of help to find early pancreatic cancer.

[Evaluation of serum SC6 antigen using immunoradiometric assay for diagnosis of pancreatic cancer]

A solid-phase immunoradiometric sandwich assay for SC6 antigen was defined by a monoclonal antibody (SC6). The concentration of SC6 antigen in samples was determined by reference to a standard curve. The average intra- and interassay CV were 5.4% and 8.7% respectively. This antibody was found at low concentration in serum from 33 healthy individuals and the cutoff of normal upper limit of SC6 antigen was 41 U/ml. The level of serum SC6 antigen was assayed in 41 patients with pancreatic cancer, 95 with non-pancreatic carcinomas, and 48 with nonmalignant diseases. Frequency of elevated SC6 antigen level was highest in patients with gastrointestinal cancer, especially pancreatic cancer. The sensitivity and specificity were 70.7% and 84.3% for pancreatic cancer. The level in most cases of benign diseases was within upper normal limit. The results show that detection of SC6 antigen is valuable in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. It may be of help for detecting pancreatic cancer in its early stage.

Clinical evaluation of the 99mTc-CPI myocardial perfusion imaging

99mTc-CPI myocardial perfusion scintigraphy including planar images in 35 patients and SPECT images in 16 patients has been studied. Scintigraphic data revealed that high quality 99mTc-CPI myocardial perfusion images were obtained. The sensitivity and specificity of 99mTc-CPI planar images in detecting CAD was 92% and 80% respectively. There was no significant difference in sensitivity for detecting CAD between planar and SPECT. However, the specificity of SPECT was much better than that of planar imaging.

Clinical evaluation of the 99mTc-labeled myocardial imaging agent, hexakis (t-butylisonitrile)-technetium

99mTc-TBI myocardial perfusion imaging has been studied in 7 normal subjects and 24 patients with coronary artery disease. Scintigraphic data revealed that 99mTc-TBI myocardial perfusion imaging is more sensitive than ECG in detecting myocardial infarction. In comparing 99mTc-TBI imaging with contrast angiography, its' sensitivity for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease was 91.7%.