Computer Vision-Based Artificial Intelligence-Mediated Encoding-Decoding for Multiplexed Microfluidic Digital Immunoassay

Digital immunoassays with multiplexed capacity, ultrahigh sensitivity, and broad affordability are urgently required in clinical diagnosis, food safety, and environmental monitoring. In this work, a multidimensional digital immunoassay has been developed through microparticle-based encoding and artificial intelligence-based decoding, enabling multiplexed detection with high sensitivity and convenient operation. The information encoded in the features of microspheres, including their size, number, and color, allows for the simultaneous identification and accurate quantification of multiple targets. Computer vision-based artificial intelligence can analyze the microscopy images for information decoding and output identification results visually. Moreover, the optical microscopy imaging can be well integrated with the microfluidic platform, allowing for encoding-decoding through the computer vision-based artificial intelligence. This microfluidic digital immunoassay can simultaneously analyze multiple inflammatory markers and antibiotics within 30 min with high sensitivity and a broad detection range from pg/mL to μg/mL, which holds great promise as an intelligent bioassay for next-generation multiplexed biosensing.

[Analysis of vaginal microecology in 23 181 cases of the gynecological female outpatients]

Objective: To analyze the vaginal microecological status of vaginitis population and non-vaginitis population of gynecological female outpatients. Methods: A total of 30 265 women who visited the gynecological outpatient clinic of Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital from December 2018 to December 2020 completed vaginal microecological examination. After removing the follow-up patients, 23 181 women were divided into group with symptoms and signs of vaginitis (6 697 cases) and group without symptoms and signs of vaginitis (16 484 cases), according to whether the women with symptoms and signs of vaginitis or not. And the vaginal microecological status of the two groups was compared and analyzed. Results: (1) The total detection rate of vaginitis in the initial women was 34.87% (8 083/23 181), of which 46.10% (3 087/6 697) in group with symptoms and signs of vaginitis and 30.31% (4 996/16 484) in group without symptoms and signs of vaginitis, nearly 1/3 of the gynecological outpatients without signs and symptoms of vaginitis had vaginitis. (2) Among the types of simple vaginitis, vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) was the most frequent in group with symptoms and signs of vaginitis (16.01%, 1 072/6 697), followed by aerobic vaginitis (AV; 12.83%, 859/6 697), with significant differences compared with group without symptoms and signs of vaginitis (all P<0.001). There were no statistical differences between the two groups of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and trichomonal vaginitis (TV), indicating that BV and TV were more likely to be neglected (all P>0.05). (3) The proportion of various combinations of vaginitis among 2 632 cases of mixed vaginitis were, in descending order: BV+AV, VVC+AV, BV+AV+VVC, AV+TV, AV+TV+BV, BV+VVC. (4) Microecological analysis of 15 098 cases diagnosed with non-vaginitis had normal flora (including those with normal flora and those with normal flora but decreased function) in 14 013 cases (92.81%, 14 013/15 098), abnormal flora in 429 cases (2.84%, 429/15 098) and the BV intermediate in 656 cases (4.34%, 656/15 098); this indicated that the vast majority of the microecological tests were normal in the vaginal microbiota of those without vaginitis. Conclusions: Microecological examination could diagnose multiple pathogenic infections at once, and is especially important as a guide for the definitive diagnosis of mixed vaginitis and vaginitis with atypical clinical symptoms. Vaginal infections such as BV and TV that are easily overlooked should be concerned.

Unified Classification of Bacterial Colonies on Different Agar Media Based on Hyperspectral Imaging and Machine Learning

A universal method by considering different types of culture media can enable convenient classification of bacterial species. The study combined hyperspectral technology and versatile chemometric algorithms to achieve the rapid and non-destructive classification of three kinds of bacterial colonies (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella) cultured on three kinds of agar media (Luria–Bertani agar (LA), plate count agar (PA) and tryptone soy agar (TSA)). Based on the extracted spectral data, partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and support vector machine (SVM) were employed to established classification models. The parameters of SVM models were optimized by comparing genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO) and grasshopper optimization algorithm (GOA). The best classification model was GOA-SVM, where the overall correct classification rates (OCCRs) for calibration and prediction of the full-wavelength GOA-SVM model were 99.45% and 98.82%, respectively, and the Kappa coefficient for prediction was 0.98. For further investigation, the CARS, SPA and GA wavelength selection methods were used to establish GOA-SVM simplified model, where CARS-GOA-SVM was optimal in model accuracy and stability with the corresponding OCCRs for calibration and prediction and the Kappa coefficients of 99.45%, 98.73% and 0.98, respectively. The above results demonstrated that it was feasible to classify bacterial colonies on different agar media and the unified model provided a continent and accurate way for bacterial classification.

Establishment of validated models for non-invasive prediction of rectal temperature of sows using infrared thermography and chemometrics

Rectal temperature is an important physiological indicator used to characterize the reproductive and health status of sows. Infrared thermography, a surface temperature measurement technology, was investigated in this study to explore its feasibility in non-invasive detection of rectal temperature in sows. A total of 124 records of rectal temperature and surface temperature in various body regions of 99 Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred sows were collected. These surface temperatures together with ambient temperature, ambient humidity, and wind speed in pig pens were correlated with the real rectal temperature of sows to establish rectal temperature prediction models by introducing chemometrics algorithms. Two types of models, i.e., full feature models and selected feature models, were established by applying the partial least squares regression (PLSR) method. The optimal model was attained when 7 important features were selected by LARS-Lasso, where correlation coefficients and root mean squared errors of calibration were 0.80 and 0.30 °C, respectively. Particularly, the validity and stability of established simplified models were further evaluated by applying the model to an independent prediction set, where correlation coefficients and root mean squared errors for prediction were 0.80 and 0.35 °C, respectively. The validation of established models is scarce in previous similar studies. Above all, this study demonstrated that introduction of chemometrics methodologies would lead to more reliable and accurate model for predicting sow rectal temperature, thus the potential for ensuring animal welfare in a broader view if extended to more applications.

P4506New indices of arterial stiffness correlates with disease severity and mid-term prognosis in acute decompensated heart failure

Background

Arterial stiffness has been implicated in pathophysiology of heart failure (HF) since it is involved in the ventricular-vascular coupling. Recently, new indices obtained by a cuff oscillometric technique, the arterial velocity-pulse index (AVI) for the stiffness of central arteries and the arterial pressure-volume index (API) for the stiffness of peripheral arteries have been developed and validated. However, the AVI and API measurement has not been attempted in HF population.

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the AVI, API and clinical outcomes in HF patients.

Methods

A prospective cohort of patients with acute decompensated HF were enrolled within 6 months, who were admitted to a tertiary referral hospital in China. Measurement of the AVI and API (AVE-1500, Shisei Datum, Tokyo, Japan) was performed on the day of admission and discharge. Patients were followed up to 6 months for the composite endpoint of all-cause death and HF rehospitalization.

Results

A Total of 127 patients were recruited for analysis (60±15 years, 70% male). 80% of the patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or above at admission, who presented a mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 34±9%. During hospitalization, all patients received guideline directed medical therapy if not contraindicated. The AVI (27.3±5.2 vs. 28.6±6.7, p=0.002) and API (24.9±4.9 vs. 26.0±6.5, p=0.05) were lower at discharge than at admission. By dividing the patients into tertiles according to the amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), LVEF, transmitral E velocity over mitral annular e' velocity (E/e' ratio) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) at admission, it was observed that the AVI increased with a higher level of NT-proBNP (p for trend <0.001), a larger E/e' (p<0.001) and a lower LVEF (p=0.001), while the API increased as the SBP became higher (p=0.005).The improvement in AVI at discharge was correlated with that in LVEF (R=-0.3024, p<0.05) and NT-proBNP (R=0.3118, p<0.05), while the change in API was positively correlated with that in SBP (R=0.3897, p<0.001). In 6 months after discharge, there were 52 predefined events including 15 deaths and 44 HF rehospitalization. Apart from the level of NT-proBNP, the AVI at discharge of ≥26 showed a trend of being associated with the composite outcome (2.747, 1.411–5.349, p<0.001 for univariate analysis; 1.8648, 0.8928–3.8949, p=0.0973 for multivariate analysis).

Conclusions

New noninvasive arterial stiffness indices as the AVI and API reflected severity of illness and mid-term prognosis in admitted HF patients. Further studies are warranted for understanding its mechanisms and developing clinical applications.

Application of invasive weed optimization and least square support vector machine for prediction of beef adulteration with spoiled beef based on visible near-infrared (Vis-NIR) hyperspectral imaging

Different multivariate data analysis methods were investigated and compared to optimize rapid and non-destructive quantitative detection of beef adulteration with spoiled beef based on visible near-infrared hyperspectral imaging. Four multivariate statistical analysis methods including partial least squares regression (PLSR), support vector machine (SVM), least squares support vector machine (LS-SVM) and extreme learning machine (ELM) were carried out in developing full wavelength models. Good prediction was obtained by applying LS-SVM in the spectral range of 496-1000 nm with coefficients of determination (R²) of 0.94 and 0.94 as well as root-mean-squared errors (RMSEs) of 5.39% and 6.29% for calibration and prediction, respectively. To reduce the high dimensionality of hyperspectral data and to establish simplified models, a novel method named invasive weed optimization (IWO) was developed to select key wavelengths and it was compared with competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) and genetic algorithm (GA). Among the four multivariate analysis models based on important wavelengths determined by IWO, the LS-SVM simplified model performed best where R² of 0.97 and 0.95 as well as RMSEs of 4.74% and 5.67% were attained for calibration and prediction, respectively. The optimum simplified model was applied to hyperspectral images in pixel-wise to visualize the distribution of spoiled beef adulterant in fresh minced beef. The current study demonstrated that it was feasible to use Vis-NIR hyperspectral imaging to detect homologous adulterant in beef.

Development and cross-species transferability of unigene-derived microsatellite markers in an edible oil woody plant, Camellia oleifera (Theaceae)

Camellia oleifera is an important edible oil woody plant in China. Lack of useful molecular markers hinders current genetic research on this tree species. Transcriptome sequencing of developing C. oleifera seeds generated 69,798 unigenes. A total of 6949 putative microsatellites were discovered among 6042 SSR-containing unigenes. Then, 150 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were evaluated in 20 varieties of C. oleifera. Of these, 52 SSRs revealed polymorphism, with the number of alleles per locus ranging from 2 to 15 and expected heterozygosity values from 0.269 to 0.888. The polymorphic information content varied from 0.32 to 0.897. Cross-species transferability rates in Camellia chekangoleosa and Camellia japonica were 90.4 and 78.8%, respectively. The 52 polymorphic unigene-derived SSR markers serve to enrich existing microsatellite marker resources for C. oleifera and offer potential for applications in genetic diversity evaluation, molecular fingerprinting, and genetic mapping in C. oleifera, C. chekangoleosa, and C. japonica.

Recent Progress of Hyperspectral Imaging on Quality and Safety Inspection of Fruits and Vegetables: A Review

Objective quality assessment and efficacious safety surveillance for agricultural and food products are inseparable from innovative techniques. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI), a rapid, nondestructive, and chemical-free method, is now emerging as a powerful analytical tool for product inspection by simultaneously offering spatial information and spectral signals from one object. This paper focuses on recent advances and applications of HSI in detecting, classifying, and visualizing quality and safety attributes of fruits and vegetables. First, the basic principles and major instrumental components of HSI are presented. Commonly used methods for image processing, spectral pretreatment, and modeling are summarized. More importantly, morphological calibrations that are essential for nonflat objects as well as feature wavebands extraction for model simplification are provided. Second, in spite of the physical and visual attributes (size, shape, weight, color, and surface defects), applications from the last decade are reviewed specifically categorized into textural characteristics inspection, biochemical components detection, and safety features assessment. Finally, technical challenges and future trends of HSI are discussed.

Near-infrared hyperspectral imaging in tandem with partial least squares regression and genetic algorithm for non-destructive determination and visualization of Pseudomonas loads in chicken fillets

Hyperspectral imaging was exploited for its potential in direct and fast determination of Pseudomonas loads in raw chicken breast fillets. A line-scan hyperspectral imaging system (900-1700 nm) was employed to obtain sample images, which were then further corrected, modified and processed. The prepared images were correlated with the true Pseudomonas counts of these samples using partial least squares (PLS) regression. To enhance model performance, different spectral extraction approaches, spectral preprocessing methods as well as wavelength selection schemes based on genetic algorithm were investigated. The results revealed that extraction of mean spectra is more efficient for representation of sample spectra than computation of median spectra. The best full wavelength model was attained based on spectral images preprocessed with standard normal variate, and the correlation coefficients (R) and root mean squared errors (RMSEs) for the model were above 0.81 and below 0.80 log10 CFU g(-1), respectively. In development of simplified models, wavelengths were selected by using a proposed two-step method based on genetic algorithm. The best model utilized only 14 bands in five segments and produced R and RMSEs of 0.91 and 0.55 log10 CFU g(-1), 0.87 and 0.65 log10 CFU g(-1) as well as 0.88 and 0.64 log10 CFU g(-1) for calibration, cross-validation and prediction, respectively. Moreover, the prediction maps offered a novel way for visualizing the gradient of Pseudomonas loads on meat surface. Hyperspectral imaging is demonstrated to be an effective tool for nondestructive measurement of Pseudomonas in raw chicken breast fillets.

Application of hyperspectral imaging in food safety inspection and control: a review

Food safety is a great public concern, and outbreaks of food-borne illnesses can lead to disturbance to the society. Consequently, fast and nondestructive methods are required for sensing the safety situation of produce. As an emerging technology, hyperspectral imaging has been successfully employed in food safety inspection and control. After presenting the fundamentals of hyperspectral imaging, this paper provides a comprehensive review on its application in determination of physical, chemical, and biological contamination on food products. Additionally, other studies, including detecting meat and meat bone in feedstuffs as well as organic residue on food processing equipment, are also reported due to their close relationship with food safety control. With these applications, it can be demonstrated that miscellaneous hyperspectral imaging techniques including near-infrared hyperspectral imaging, fluorescence hyperspectral imaging, and Raman hyperspectral imaging or their combinations are powerful tools for food safety surveillance. Moreover, it is envisaged that hyperspectral imaging can be considered as an alternative technique for conventional methods in realizing inspection automation, leading to the elimination of the occurrence of food safety problems at the utmost.

Knockdown of RhoGDIα induces apoptosis and increases lung cancer cell chemosensitivity to paclitaxel

This study aimed to investigate the effects of RhoGDIα knockdown on apoptosis and the chemosensitivity of lung cancer cells to paclitaxel. The signaling proteins involved were also assessed. RhoGDIα expression was assessed by RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometric assessment, and cell viability was measured with the MTT assay. Phosphorylation levels of signaling proteins, ERK, JNK, Akt, Bad and IκBα were tested by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Positivity for RhoGDIα in lung cancer tissues was significantly higher than in paracancerous tissues. Downregulation of RhoGDIα was associated with significantly increased apoptosis and repressed cell viability. This effect could be due to the consequent upregulation of p-JNK, as well as decreased levels of p-ERK, p-Bad and p-IκBα. Knockdown of RhoGDIα strengthened the effect on apoptosis and inhibition of cell viability induced by paclitaxel treatment. This chemosensitization effect could be a result of the intensification of pro-apoptotic JNK activation, and repression of anti-apoptotic p-ERK, p-Bad and p-IκBα expression stimulated by paclitaxel. In summary, our study indicated that RhoGDIα could be a promising therapeutic target, and the combination of RhoGDIα siRNA and paclitaxel might be a valuable potential therapy for lung cancer treatment.

Natural occurrence of fumonisins b1 and b2 in corn from three main production provinces in China

A total of 255 corn samples collected in 2010 from three main corn production provinces of China (Liaoning, Shandong, and Henan) were analyzed for contamination with fumonisins (FB(1) and FB(2)). The incidence of contamination was significantly higher in samples from Liaoning than in samples from the other two provinces. Approximately 80.0% of the samples from Liaoning were contaminated with fumonisins, with a mean total fumonisin concentration of 3,990 ng/g. In contrast, the mean total fumonisin concentrations were 845 and 665 ng/g in samples from Shandong and Henan, respectively. The probable daily intake of fumonisins (0.3 μg/kg of body weight) is within the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake of 2.0 μg/kg of body weight set by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives.

[Addition internal standard method in chromatographic quantitative analysis]

Internal standard method is a conventional chromatographic quantitative method which requires one or several internal standards added. The internal standard component must not be contained in the sample and need a good separation between the internal standard and sample components. In many cases selecting an internal standard is not convenient or even restricted by the seperation of components. In this paper, we try to combine the internal standard method and the addition method to form a new chromatographic quantitation method named addition internal standard method. The principles of addition internal standard method are suitable to not only chromatographic quantitation but also polarography etc. The related theory and foundation of the method are defined. The operation steps and the conditions suitable to the method are discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of this method are explained in detail.

The role of glutamate in the locus coeruleus during opioid withdrawal and effects of H-7, a protein kinase inhibitor, on the action of glutamate in rats

To investigate the role of glutamate in the locus coeruleus (LC) during opioid withdrawal, rats were continuously infused with morphine (a mu-opioid receptor agonist, 26 nmol/microl/h) or butorphanol (a mu/delta/kappa-mixed opioid receptor agonist, 26 nmol/microl/h) intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) via osmotic minipumps for 3 days. A direct LC injection of glutamate (1 or 10 nmol/5 microl) or naloxone (an opioid receptor antagonist, 24 nmol/5 microl) induced withdrawal signs in morphine- or butorphanol-dependent animals. However, these agents failed to precipitate any withdrawal signs in saline-treated control animals. On the other hand, the expression of withdrawal signs precipitated by the administration of glutamate or naloxone in opioid-dependent animals was completely blocked by concomitant infusion with 1 or 10 nmol/microl/h of an inhibitor of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C, H-7 [1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine]. In animals that had been infused with opioids in the same manner, i.c.v. injection of naloxone (48 nmol/5 microl) precipitated withdrawal signs and increased extracellular fluid levels of glutamate in the LC of morphine- or butorphanol-dependent rats measured by in vivo microdialysis method. However, concomitant infusion with H-7 inhibited the increases of glutamate levels in the LC. These results strongly suggest that an expeditious release of glutamate in the LC region plays an important role in the expression of physical dependence on opioids. Furthermore, the action on glutamate release might be increased by the enhancement of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and/or protein kinase C activity.

Alpha 2-adrenoceptors and I1-imidazoline binding sites: relationship with catecholamines in women of reproductive age

A comparison is presented between plasma catecholamine concentrations and platelet [125I]-p-iodoclonidine binding sites in 16 healthy women. Blood samples were obtained at six regularly spaced intervals over two consecutive menstrual cycles from healthy women with regular menstrual periods. Although no cycle-related changes were observed per se, there were significant correlations between the platelet binding sites and plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine concentrations. The densities of platelet alpha 2-adrenoceptors were negatively correlated in an exponential fashion (r2 = 0.694, P = 0.009) with plasma epinephrine concentrations, implying agonist-induced downregulation. On the other hand, platelet I1-imidazoline binding sites were positively correlated with plasma concentrations of norepinephrine in a linear fashion (r2 = 0.326, P = 0.021). This is the first indication that I1 binding sites might be upregulated by a physiological factor. Furthermore, the data suggest that elevations in plasma norepinephrine might explain reports of upregulated I1 binding sites in depressed patients.

Plasma MHPG response to yohimbine treatment in women with hypoactive sexual desire

The use of yohimbine to treat impotence has suggested that decreased male sexual desire may relate to decreased activity of central noradrenergic neurons. Previous trials of yohimbine to treat female sexual problems are not available. Yohimbine is an alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist that stimulates norepinephrine (NE) release. In the present study, plasma concentrations of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), the major central nervous system metabolite of NE, were measured in 9 women diagnosed with hypoactive sexual desire. Daily logs of mood and sexual activity, and trimonthly MHPG blood drawings, were obtained over an initial baseline menstrual cycle followed by two subsequent treatment cycles (yohimbine or placebo), in randomized order. Blood samples were obtained at 9:00 a.m. during (a) the early follicular phase of each cycle (24 hr after the onset of each cycle), (b) the ovulatory phase (i.e., within 1 day of an oral temperature rise), and (c) the midluteal phase (i.e., 20-25 days into each cycle). Comparisons were made with a group of 7 healthy female controls. Women with hypoactive sexual desire had slightly lower plasma MHPG values than controls at baseline, although there was only a trend toward significance during the early follicular phase (p = .09). Yohimbine (5.4 mg orally, 3 times daily, beginning at menses) caused a sustained rise in plasma MHPG of similar magnitude to that reported in men. However, in terms of improved sexual desire, yohimbine had no obvious therapeutic effect. Thus, plasma MHPG and the alpha 2-adrenergic response to yohimbine appeared within normal ranges in women with hypoactive sexual desire, with no therapeutic response to yohimbine.

Glutamate in opioid dependence

The present review will concentrate on a discussion of recent investigations which implicate a critical linkage of three facets of the central nervous system mediation of opioid dependence, as evidenced by expression of acutely-precipitated withdrawal events. These are the kappa-opioid receptor subtype, the glutamatergic neuronal system and a specific brain locus, the locus coeruleus. The impetus for this line of investigation derives from a recognition that opioid analgesics, such as butorphanol (Stadol), exhibit a markedly different profile of activity at opioid receptors than does morphine yet have abuse liability and cause dependence readily. Emphasis will be placed on demonstration of a rodent model in which butorphanol administration induces dependence through a unique (in comparison with morphine) activation of the kappa-opioid receptor. The use of in vivo microdialysis techniques clearly identifies, in this model, that acutely-precipitated withdrawal from dependence on butorphanol results in focal increases in extracellular levels of glutamate within the locus coeruleus, and that the withdrawal syndrome can be mimicked by intracerebroventricular administration of exogenous glutamate, acting through the N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor subtype. The data confirm the participation of glutamate as a general phenomenon in opioid dependence, identify the locus coeruleus as a primary site for glutamatergic mediation of dependence, and suggest novel aspects to the neuropharmacology of opioid dependence with respect to the role of the kappa-opioid receptor.

Mu- and delta-opioid receptor antagonists precipitate similar withdrawal phenomena in butorphanol and morphine dependence

The relative involvement of mu- and delta-opioid receptors in the mediation of butorphanol-, as compared to morphine-, dependence was examined with the use of highly selective antagonists at mu- and delta-opioid receptors. Extracellular fluid levels of glutamate (Glu) and aspartate (Asp) were measured within the pontine locus coeruleus following precipitation of withdrawal from dependence on either butorphanol or morphine in conscious Sprague-Dawley rats. Dependence was induced by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of butorphanol (26 nmol/mu l/h), morphine (26 nmol/mu l/h) or saline vehicle (1 mu l/h) for 3 days by means of an osmotic minipump. Microdialysis probes (2 mm tip) were inserted into the locus coeruleus 24 h before precipitation of withdrawal by i.c.v. injection of either the mu-opioid receptor antagonist, D-Pen-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Orn-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2 (CTOP; 48 nmol/5 mu l or 48 nmol/5 mu l), or the delta-opioid receptor antagonist, naltrindole (17-cyclopropy;methyl-6,7-dehydro-4,5-epoxy-3, 14-dihydroxy-6,7,2'3'-indolmorphinan hydrochloride; 48 nmol/5 mu l or 100 nmol/5 mu l). Baseline levels of Glu ranged from 9.59 + or - 1.27 to 12.84 + or - 3.01 mu M in the various treatment groups. Levels of Asp were similar. Precipitation of withdrawal by CTOP elicited significant increases of Glu and Asp in both morphine- and butorphanol-dependent rats. Maximal increases in Glu of 425% and 258% above baseline levels were elicited in the first 15 min microdialysis sample following i.c.v. injection of CTOP in morphine- and butorphanol-dependent rats, respectively. Behavioral signs of withdrawal were greater in morphine than butorphanol-dependent groups. The i.c.v. treatment with naltrindole elicited increases in Glu and Asp that were similar, although less marked, than those precipitated by CTOP treatment. Administration of naltrindole produced equivalent signs of withdrawal in both morphine- and butorphanol-dependent rats. Withdrawal from dependence on both morphine and butorphanol is characterized by elevations in coerulear levels of excitatory amino acids. Responses elicited following the use of selective mu- and delta-opioid receptor antagonists to precipitate withdrawal suggest that the role played by these receptors in mediation of the signs and symptoms of withdrawal do not differ greatly between butorphanol- and morphine-dependent rats.

Increased locus coeruleus glutamate levels are associated with naloxone-precipitated withdrawal from butorphanol in the rat

Extracellular fluid levels of glutamate were measured in the locus coeruleus during butorphanol (a mixed agonist at mu-, delta-, and kappa-opioid receptors) withdrawal by using microdialysis in conscious butorphanol-dependent Sprague-Dawley rats. Guide cannulae were implanted chronically and rats were given intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusions of butorphanol (26 nmol/1 microliter/hr) or saline (1 microliter/hr) for 3 days. Microdialysis probes (2 mm tip) were inserted into the locus coeruleus 24 hr before precipitation of withdrawal by i.c.v. injection of naloxone (48 nmol/5 microliters). A separate series of rats was rendered dependent by peripheral injection of butorphanol (20 mg/kg, s.c., b.i.d.) for 5 days and naloxone (5 mg/kg, i.p.) was given to precipitate withdrawal. Single injections of butorphanol (26 nmol/5 microliters, i.c.v.) had no effect on the extracellular fluid levels of glutamate, compared to rats injected with vehicle. Behavioral evidence of withdrawal was detected following naloxone challenge in butorphanol-dependent rats (both i.c.v. and s.c. models), but not in non-dependent, vehicle-treated rats. Significant increases (P < 0.05) in levels of glutamate were noted after naloxone-precipitated withdrawal only in the butorphanol group. The glutamate levels in the locus coeruleus increased from 8.37 +/- 2.01 before, to 21.93 +/- 4.58 microM in the first 15 min sample following i.c.v. injections of 48 nmol/5 microliters naloxone and from 10.84 +/- 1.74 before, to 26.01 +/- 6.19 microM in the 15-30 min sample following i.p. injections of 5 mg/kg naloxone in the butorphanol-dependent rats, respectively. These results provide direct evidence to support the role of excitatory amino acids within the locus coeruleus in butorphanol withdrawal.

Crosstolerance between butorphanol and morphine in rats

To investigate the antinociceptive effects of morphine and U-50,488 after continuous administration with butorphanol, rats were intracerebroventricularly (ICV) infused with butorphanol (26 nmol/microliters/h) through osmotic minipumps for 3 days. Six hours after termination of infusion, the rats were challenged with different doses of morphine or U-50,488. Antinociceptive effects, as assessed by tail-flick and acetic acid writing tests, were measured 15 min after challenge. Development of crosstolerance to morphine was evident in butorphanol-infused animals. The study also revealed that crosstolerance to butorphanol developed in continuously ICV morphine-infused animals. Continuous ICV infusion with butorphanol produced a marked rightward shift of the antinociceptive dose-response curve resulting from U-50,488 challenge. These results showed that there is an antinociceptive crosstolerance between butorphanol and morphine, and crosstolerance to U-50,488 developed in continuously butorphanol-infused animals. The present data suggested that chronic ICV treatment with high doses of butorphanol can lead to desensitization of the antinociceptive systems mediated through the central kappa as well as mu receptors in rats.

Tolerance development to butorphanol: comparison with morphine

In order to evaluate and to compare the time course, dose response, and the degree of tolerance development to butorphanol and morphine, rats were continuously intracerebroventricularly (ICV) infused with saline vehicle (1 microliter/h), butorphanol (6.5, 13, 26, and 52 nmol/microliters/h), or morphine (1.6, 6.5, and 26 nmol/microliters/h) through osmotic minipumps for 1 to 3 days. The tail-flick responses were determined pre-, during, and postinfusion. Tolerance to morphine developed faster than that to butorphanol. The antinociceptive response to the ICV challenge dose (6 h after the termination of drug infusion) of butorphanol or morphine was decreased significantly and there was a negative correlation between the dose of the drug infused and the observed antinociceptive response. In terms of butorphanol and morphine tolerance, a parallel rightward shift in the dose-response curve was produced with the degree of shift proportional to the log of the infusion dose. In tail-flick tests, the shifts of the dose-response curves for butorphanol and morphine in tolerant animals were 11.8- and 46.3-fold, respectively. However, in the acetic acid writhing test, the shifts of the dose-response curves for butorphanol and morphine in tolerant animals were 11.3- and 11.7-fold, respectively. These results suggest that there is a greater degree of tolerance to morphine than there is to butorphanol, but the degree of butorphanol tolerance is still substantial. In addition, two pain assays (tail flick vs. writhing) yielded different estimations of tolerance in a comparison of morphine and butorphanol.

[Hereditary persistence of alpha-fetoprotein]

A proband with persistently elevated AFP levels ranging between 21-129 ng/ml with median of 90 ng/ml has been found and observed for 1 year. Family studies have revealed that his father had had persistent AFP elevation for 4 years, ranging from 46 to 198.2 ng/ml, with median level of 93 ng/ml. His brother also has elevated AFP level. However, his mother, paternal uncle and paternal aunt have normal AFP level. Clinical examinations and laboratory tests have shown that AFP elevations are not associated with primary hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatitis, or other malignancies. We believe that such AFP persistency is of hereditary nature. To our knowledge, this is the first family of hereditary AFP persistence reported in China and the fourth one reported in the world literature.

[Rational surgical approaches to the treatment of small primary liver cancer, and the prevention of postoperative recurrence]

From Sep. 1985 to Dec. 1990, surgical treatment was performed in 27 patients with small primary liver cancer (SPLC, < or = 5cm in diameter). Of them, segmentectomy was done in 23 cases and radical local resection in 4 cases with recurrence rate of 66.77% (18/27). Non recurrent lesions were located in the incisal margin. In this group re-resection rate was 55.6% (10/18). (1) Early detection and treatment of recurrent lesions remain a mainstay of prolonging survival. (2) Serum Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), ultrasonography and X-ray chest film were basic follow-up methods for subclinical recurrence of SPLC. For re-operation cases, digital subtract angiography (DSA) are useful in identifying subclinical lesions. (3) For recurrent liver cancer local hepatectomy was a reasonable approach. (4) For SPLC, radical segmentectomy or radical local resection with a safe margin of 1 to 2cm was the authors' choice.

Evaluation of combined assays of serum ferritin, alpha-1-antitrypsin and alpha-fetoprotein in liver cancer

Serum ferritin (SF), alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were examined preoperatively in 66 patients with intrahepatic space-occupied lesions revealed by B-real time ultrasonography. Elevated SF levels (> 300 micrograms/L in males and > 180 micrograms/L in females), AAT levels (4.2 g/L), and AFP levels (> 20 micrograms/L) were shown in 84%, 71% and 66% respectively of 55 patients with liver cancer. Combined analysis indicates that if all the three tests are negative, liver cancer can be essentially excluded; and positive AFP can rule out hepatic hemangioma. So combined assays of SF, AAT and AFP are valuable in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of liver cancer.

Primary ovarian pregnancy. Report of fifteen cases

From June 1973 through November 1988, fifteen cases of ovarian pregnancy were admitted to the Shanghai First People's Hospital. All these cases met the four criteria for the diagnosis as listed by Spiegelberg. The incidence of ovarian pregnancy as compared to those of normal and ectopic pregnancy are 1:3 179 and 1:28.1, respectively, which are higher than foreign data reported. Ovarian pregnancy is quite similar to tubal pregnancy in clinical manifestations. Etiological analysis does not reveal any close relationship with inflammation of the female genital tract. However, application of IUD increases the risk of ovarian pregnancy. The principle of management is wedge resection of the diseased ovary.

[Short-term curative effects of daoyin-tuna qigong therapy in 103 cases of chronic atrophic gastritis]

Daoyin-Tuna Qigong therapy was applied to 103 cases with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG). The average duration of disease was 7.8 years. Daoyin-Tuna Qigong exercises were done 4 times a day, 1 hour each time. 79 days made a course and no drug was given. 31 cases were checked with gastroscopy and biopsy, 30 cases with electrogastrogram and 34 cases with immunity detection before and after treatment course.

RESULTS

In clinical symptoms, the therapy appeared markedly effective in 72 cases (69.9%). The effective cases were 28 (27.2%). The total effective rate was 97.1%. The body weight of 95 cases (92.2%) increased by 2.4 +/- 1.3 kg on the average at the end of the treatment course, and the capacity for eating was increased by 110 +/- 70 g a day in 99 cases (96.1%). In gastroscopy and pathology examination, the rates of marked effectiveness were 35.5% and 48.4%, the effective 29.0% and 38.7%, the total effective 64.5% and 87.1% respectively. Electrogastrogram check: the frequency and amplitude of the electrogastrogram increased markedly (P less than 0.05) in comparison with the pre-therapy. Immunology examination: E-rosette was 51.3 +/- 8.4% before treatment and 55.3 +/- 7.7% after treatment (P less than 0.05). It is suggested that Daoyin-Tuna Qigong therapy would be a better and new treatment for CAG.