[Development and application syndromic surveillance and early warning system in border area in Yunnan Province]

Objective: To establish a dynamic syndromic surveillance system in the border areas of Yunnan Province based on information technology, evaluate its effectiveness and timeliness in the response to common communicable disease epidemics and improve the communicable disease prevention and control in border areas. Methods: Three border counties were selected for full coverage as study areas, and dynamic surveillance for 14 symptoms and 6 syndromes were conducted in medical institutions, the daily collection of information about students' school absence in primary schools and febrile illness in inbound people at border ports were conducted in these counties from January 2016 to February 2018 to establish an early warning system based on mobile phone and computer platform for a field experimental study. Results: With syndromes of rash, influenza-like illness and the numbers of primary school absence, the most common communicable disease events, such as hand foot and mouth disease, influenza and chickenpox, can be identified 1-5 days in advance by using EARS-3C and Kulldorff time-space scanning models with high sensitivity and specificity. The system is easy to use with strong security and feasibility. All the information and the warning alerts are released in the form of interactive charts and visual maps, which can facilitate the timely response. Conclusions: This system is highly effective and easy to operate in the detection of possible outbreaks of common communicable diseases in border areas in real time, so the timely and effective intervention can be conducted to reduce the risk of local and cross-border communicable disease outbreaks. It has practical application value.

Acupuncture for the Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Acupuncture is a promising therapy for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but the use of subjective scales as an assessment is accompanied by high placebo response rates.

OBJECTIVES

To preliminarily test the feasibility of using US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-recommended end points to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of IBS.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This pilot, multicenter randomized clinical trial was conducted in 4 tertiary hospitals in China from July 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, and 14-week data collection was completed in March 2021. Individuals with a diagnosis of IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) were randomized to 1 of 3 groups, including 2 acupuncture groups (specific acupoints [SA] and nonspecific acupoints [NSA]) and a sham acupuncture group (non-acupoints [NA]) with a 1:1:1 ratio.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients in all groups received twelve 30-minute sessions over 4 consecutive weeks at 3 sessions per week (ideally every other day).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was the response rate at week 4, which was defined as the proportion of patients whose worst abdominal pain score (score range, 0-10, with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating unbearable severe pain) decreased by at least 30% and the number of type 6 or 7 stool days decreased by 50% or greater.

RESULTS

Ninety patients (54 male [60.0%]; mean [SD] age, 34.5 [11.3] years) were enrolled, with 30 patients in each group. There were substantial improvements in the primary outcomes for all groups (composite response rates of 46.7% [95% CI, 28.8%-65.4%] in the SA group, 46.7% [95% CI, 28.8%-65.4%] in the NSA group, and 26.7% [95% CI, 13.0%-46.2%] in the NA group), although the difference between them was not statistically significant (P = .18). The response rates of adequate relief at week 4 were 64.3% (95% CI, 44.1%-80.7%) in the SA group, 62.1% (95% CI, 42.4%-78.7%) in the NSA group, and 55.2% (95% CI, 36.0%-73.0%) in the NA group (P = .76). Adverse events were reported in 2 patients (6.7%) in the SA group and 3 patients (10%) in NSA or NA group.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this pilot randomized clinical trial, acupuncture in both the SA and NSA groups showed clinically meaningful improvement in IBS-D symptoms, although there were no significant differences among the 3 groups. These findings suggest that acupuncture is feasible and safe; a larger, sufficiently powered trial is needed to accurately assess efficacy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2000030670.

Effect of acupuncture for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial

Background

Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is the most common subtype of IBS. Acupuncture is commonly used to treat IBS-D, but its effect is uncertain because of the poor quality of prior studies. This trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatment for IBS-D through comparisons with sham acupuncture.

Methods/design

This is a large-scale, multi-center, randomized, two-arm interventional clinical trial. Participants will take part in a total of 20 weeks of study, which contained 3 phases: 2-week screening, 6-week treatment, and 12-week follow-up. Based on the composite response rate of the primary endpoint in our pilot study (a sham acupuncture response rate of 27% and a true acupuncture of approximately 45%), 280 randomly allocated participants were planned. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to the true acupuncture group and sham acupuncture group according to a ratio of 1:1, and a total of 15 sessions of treatment overall 6-week treatment period will be brought. The primary endpoint is a composite response rate at week 6, and the responder is defined as who responses in both abdominal pain intensity and stool consistency. Furthermore, composite response rates at other weeks, IBS Symptom Severity Scale, IBS Quality of Life, Adequate Relief scale, and individual IBS symptoms (abdominal pain, bloating, stool frequency) are chosen as secondary endpoints.

Discussion

This trial may provide high-quality evidence for the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of IBS-D. The results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2100044762. Registered on 26 March 2021.

[Value of indocyanine green fluorescence tracer in laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis]

Objective: To explore the value of low-dose indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for acute cholecystitis. Methods: Clinical data of 198 patients with acute cholecystitis and had received LC in Changzhou No.2 People's Hospital from January 2020 to September 2021 were collected. In the fluorescence group (n=97), peripheral intravenous injection of ICG was performed 15 minutes before LC, while conventional white light was applied in the control group (n=101). The efficiency of bile duct discrimination, operation time, intraoperative bleeding and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Results: Of the 198 patients, 86 were males and 112 females. The differences were not statisticly significant in age [52 (44, 63) vs 56 (46, 68) years, P>0.05], history of chronic inflammation [34(35.1%) vs 31(30.7%) cases, P>0.05] and other clinical baseline data between the two groups. Compared with the control group, the fluorescence group had higher efficiency of bile duct identification [18 (16,19) vs 38 (28,55) min,P<0.001], shorter operation time [45 (40,60) vs 80 (65,100) min,P<0.001], less intraoperative bleeding [10 (5,15) vs 60 (20,100) ml,P<0.001], and less postoperative liver function damage [alanine aminotransferase 35.0 (23.4,51.0) vs 98.3 (67.0,134.8)U/L,P<0.001]. In the control group, there was one case of biliary duct injury during operation, one case of postoperative biliary fistula, and one case of postoperative hemorrhage. No similar adverse event was found in fluorescence group. Conclusions: ICG fluorescence imaging can improve the efficiency of LC for patients with acute cholecystitis. It is easy to operate and has a good clinical application value.

Acupuncture for the treatment of diarrheal-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal diseases. Although acupuncture has become a common alternative therapy for IBS, there is insufficient evidence for its effectiveness. This study was designed to assess the efficacy and feasibility of acupuncture in the treatment of IBS.

METHODS/DESIGN

This is a multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial. According to the ratio of 1:1:1, 90 patients with irritable bowel syndrome will be randomly divided into specific acupoints (SA) group, non-specific acupoints (NSA) group, and non-acupoints (NA) group. All patients will be treated with acupuncture 12 times within 4 weeks and followed up for 8 weeks. The primary outcome is the response rate, the percentage of patients whose average value of worst abdominal pain is 30% better and the days of loose stool is 50% less than the baseline, at week 4 after randomization. The secondary outcomes include the response rates at other time points, IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression scale (PHQ-9), IBS-Quality of Life scale (IBS-QOL), IBS Adequate Relief (IBS-AR), Abdominal Pain Score, Abdominal Bloating Score, Bristol Stool Score (BBS), blinding assessment, and credibility evaluation. Adverse events will be monitored and recorded during the trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chictr.org.cn ChiCTR2000030670. Registered on 9 March 2020.

Acupuncture for persistent atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation: study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia, which is closely related to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although acupuncture is used in the treatment of AF, the evidence is insufficient. The objective of this pilot trial is to evaluate the feasibility, preliminary efficacy, and safety of acupuncture in reducing AF burden for persistent AF after catheter ablation (CA).

Methods and design

This will be a multi-center, 3-arm, pilot randomized controlled trial in China. Sixty patients in total will be randomly assigned to the specific acupoints group, the non-specific acupoints group, or the non-acupoints group in a 1:1:1 ratio. The whole study period is 6 months, including a 3-month treatment period and a 3-month follow-up period. All patients will receive 18 sessions of acupuncture over 12 weeks after CA and appropriate post-ablation routine treatment. The primary outcome is AF burden at 6 months after CA measured by electrocardiography patch that can carry out a 7-day continuous ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring. The secondary outcomes include AF burden at 3  months after CA, recurrence of AF, quality of life, etc. The adverse events will also be recorded.

Discussion

This pilot study will contribute to evaluating the feasibility, preliminary efficacy, and safety of acupuncture in reducing AF burden for persistent AF after CA. The results will be used for the sample size calculation of a subsequent large-scale trial.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000030576. Registered on 7 March 2020.

Supplementary information

Supplementary information accompanies this paper at 10.1186/s13063-020-04967-y.

A combined approach using slightly acidic electrolyzed water and UV exposure to improve egg internal quality during storage

This study investigated the combined efficacy of slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) and UV light (UV) in improving egg internal quality (weight loss, Haugh unit, yolk index, albumen pH) over a 6-wk storage time at 25°C. Eggs were preserved after immersion for 4 min in SAEW (30 mg/L), irradiation for 4 min under a UV lamp, or a combination of SAEW and UV treatment for 4 min. The combination of SAEW and UV inhibited the deterioration of yolk index over the storage period, as well as reducing the extent of decrease in Haugh unit and of weight loss during storage at 25°C, and it was more effective than SAEW or UV alone in maintaining egg internal quality (P < 0.05). The results highlight the promising use of a SAEW and UV combination treatment to improve egg internal quality during storage.

Meta-analysis of the association of IGFBP3 and IGF1 polymorphisms with susceptibility to colorectal cancer

The aim of this study is to comprehensively evaluate the associations of IGFBP3 and IGF1 polymorphisms with susceptibility to colorectal cancer (CRC). We searched the English and Chinese databases and recruited case-control studies based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. The statistical analysis was performed by the Comprehensive Meta-analysis 2.0 (CMA 2.0) software and this initially identified 251 studies. We then recruited 10 English studies to this meta-analysis detailed review which includes 9,415 CRC patients and 14,179 healthy controls. Our results demonstrated that IGFBP3 rs2854746 C>G polymorphism increases susceptibility to the CRC (allele model: OR=1.167, 95% CI=1.095~1.244, p<0.001 and to the dominant gene model: OR=1.226, 95% CI=1.113~1.350, p<0.001); but IGFBP3 rs2854744 A>C has no significant association with the CRC susceptibility (allele model: OR=0.970, 95% CI=0.932~1.010, p=0.138; dominant gene model: OR=0.995, 95% CI=0.936~1.057, p=0.874). Also, IGF1 rs35767 C>T polymorphism decreases susceptibility to CRC (allele model: OR=0.785, 95% CI=0.726~0.850, p<0.001 and also the dominant model: OR=0.730, 95% CI=0.661~0.806, p<0.001). However, IGFBP3 rs2854746 C>G is considered the susceptible CRC polymorphism and IGF1 rs35767 C>T is CRC protective.

Expression and effect of serum interleukin-24 level on bone marrow mononuclear cells in children with acute leukemia

To investigate the expression of interleukin-24 (IL-24) in the children with acute leukemia (AL) and its effect on the apoptosis of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) in vitro. Four groups were assessed: acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), non-leukemia, and healthy groups, 20 children in each group. ELISA was used to measure IL-24 serum level. The bone marrow was taken from patients and controls. BMMNCs were isolated and the DNA was analyzed by glucose electrophoresis. Flow cytometry was used to determine BMMNC apoptosis. The serum level of IL-24 in the ALL and AML groups were significantly higher than in the other two groups. There was no statistical difference between ALL and AML groups, either between non-leukemia and healthy groups. BMMNCs were exposed to IL-24 for 48 h, and the apoptotic rate of the group treated with 50 ng/ml IL-24 was obviously higher than that of control group (0 ng/mL). The serum IL-24 level of AL children decreased comparing to non-leukemia and healthy children, indicating that IL-24 can induce BMMNCs apoptosis of AL children in vitro.

[Acupuncture in Oman]

The status quo and application of acupuncture therapy in Oman is introduced in this article. The gene -ral medical condition of Oman is comparatively backward. Function of local traditional medicine is limited. Indications of acupuncture in Oman are various pain syndromes and motor impairment after stroke. However, it is lack of systematic training and management of acupuncture practitioners. And the number of acupuncture clinic is comparatively inadequate. Therefore, qualified acupuncture training, publicity and cooperation with international organizations are highly recommended in the future.

Effects of Bacillus subtilis KD1 on broiler intestinal flora

A novel Bacillus subtilis KD1 strain was isolated and identified from healthy broilers, and its phylogenetic classification was subsequently analyzed. To evaluate its probiotic availability, its growth characteristics and tolerance for the gut environment were evaluated in vitro. The results suggest that B. subtilis KD1 is superior in secreting neutral protease and is highly tolerant of gastric acid and bile salt. In the logarithmic growth phase, the neutral protease reached a maximum of 1,369.3 U/mL. When all live bacteria had become spores in the broth, B. subtilis KD1 was freeze dried and fed to broilers at 10(9), 5 × 10(9), and 10(10) bacilli/kg of feed. The animal trial results suggest that the addition of the new strain significantly improved intestinal flora by increasing lactobacilli and reducing Escherichia coli (P < 0.05) as compared with the control; hence, B. subtilis KD1 is a promising probiotic organism in broilers.

An immunohistochemical and molecular study of gastrointestinal stromal tumours

Gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) is a rare but most common mesenchymal tumour in the gastrointestinal tract. Although GIST research has been carried out extensively worldwide, it has yet to be studied in Malaysia. To establish the immunohistochemical expression pattern of CD117 (c-KIT), CD34, S-100 and Desmin, the incidence of c-KIT and PDGFRA genes mutation in GISTs, and correlate it with clinicopathological parameters. Eleven clinically diagnosed GISTs were stained for CD117, CD34, Desmin and S-100 protein by immunohistochemical technique, and c-KITand PDGFRA gene mutations were studied by PCR-CSGE-DNA sequencing method. All GISTs (7 cases) stain positive for CD117, and co-expressed CD34. None of these cases express Desmin, and only one expressed S-100 protein focally. Fifty-seven percent (4/7 cases) of GIST harboured mutations at exon 11 of c-KIT gene, and they were all high risk and malignant cases. No mutation was detected at exons 9, 13 and 17 of KIT gene, and exons 12 and 18 of PDGFRA gene. Immunohistochemistry using a panel of antibodies shows consistent pattern of CD117 and CD34 expression in GIST, and mutational study may be a useful prognostic marker for kinase inhibitor treatment of GIST.

Expression of laminin in metastatic melanoma cell lines with different metastatic potential

Cancer metastasis is a complex multi-step process in which tumor cells leave the primary site and develop a secondary tumor in distant organs. Laminin plays an important role in this process. The expression of laminin in four melanoma cell lines with different metastatic potentials was investigated by immunohistochemistry, immunogold electron microscopy and Western blotting. Our results showed that the expression of endogenous laminin and the percentage of the positive cells are higher with increased metastatic potentials. It is, thus, suggested that endogenous laminin may contribute to the different metastatic properties in the melanoma cell line.

Association of EGFR gene fragments with nuclear matrix proteins in high and low metastatic melanoma cell lines

Two melanoma cell lines with different metastatic potential were used to study the association of EGFR gene fragments with the nuclear matrix and its role in cancer metastasis by polymerase chain reaction. A 940 bp positive amplification by PCR using primers I-II was demonstrated in a high metastatic cell line, WM451. A 110 bp positive amplification was shown using primers III-IV in both high and low metastatic cell lines. This finding demonstrates that EGFR gene fragments are tightly bound to the nuclear matrix and suggests that binding ability of this EGFR gene fragment to nuclear matrix seems to be closely related to metastatic potential in melanoma cell lines WM45 1 and WM35.

Expression of nm23-H1 in human meningioma cells

The expression of nm23-H1 has been demonstrated to be highly correlated with the metastatic potential of various tumors. In the present investigation, meningiomas of different pathological grades were used to study on their nm23-H1 expression. Immunohistochemistry showed that nm23-H1 was expressed mainly in the cytoplasm especially in the perinuclear region in explants under short-term culture. Western-blotting demonstrated the specific expression of nm23 protein in all tumor samples. The expression was also found to be sex-dependent on tumor progression in female, but not in male patients. RT-PCR results confirmed nm23-H1 expression was higher in benign tumors than in their normal counterpart. Our observations thus suggest that nm23-H1 may play an important role in the progression of meningiomas in female patients.

11-Oxo-tetrodotoxin and a specifically labelled 3H-tetrodotoxin

Tetrodotoxin was oxidized to a hydrated aldehyde, 11-oxo-tetrodotoxin, which shares the specificity of tetrodotoxin for the Na+ channel of the isolated voltage-clamped frog skeletal muscle fiber, but is four to five times more potent. It binds to the solubilized Na+ channel of eel electroplax with a similarly higher potency, because of an equilibrium dissociation constant about 0.25, and a dissociation rate constant 2.4 times slower than those for tetrodotoxin. 11-Oxo-tetrodotoxin can be reduced to regenerate a tetrodotoxin, which is chemically and biologically indistinguishable from the original tetrodotoxin. By reducing with tritiated sodium borohydride, a 3H marker can be inserted regiospecifically to yield 11-[3H]-tetrodotoxin. Because it has a defined specific activity of > 2.5 Ci/mmole, and a 3H marker which does not exchange with solvent proton, 11-[3H]-tetrodotoxin is an ideal tracer for tetrodotoxin. It may enable studies of problems which require higher signals and/or better stability of the marker than those obtainable from currently available tracer Na(+)-channel ligands.

Microwave-enhanced immunohistochemical staining of a formalin-sensitive antigen-laminin receptor

Many potentially useful antigens have been difficult to detect in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. Recently a number of pathological and research laboratories have demonstrated that some antigens masked by formalin fixation could be restored to detectability by microwave heating. Previously, we were unable to demonstrate laminin receptor in cells processed by the routine fixation. Our results showed that microwave heating together with trypsin produced the best immunohistochemical staining for this receptor. Nevertheless, no significance was found in the levels of 67 kD LR in high and low metastatic tumor cell lines.

[The expression of 67-KD laminin receptor (LN-R) gene in PG tumor cells with high metastatic potential]

The expression level of 67-KD LN-R mRNA was observed in high-metastatic PG tumor cells and low-metastatic PAa tumor cells based on the cDNA fragments of 67-KD LN-R amplified by PCR technique and the specific cDNA probe prepared by random primer labeling method. Results showed that the transcripts were homologous in size, about 1.7kb, in PG and PAa tumor cells. The 67-KD LN-R mRNA level was higher in PG than that in PAa tumor cells, and gene amplification was also more marked in PG tumor cells. After treated with 67-KD LN-R monoclonioal antibody (50, 100 and 400 micrograms/ml) for 48 hours, LN-R mRNA of PG tumor cells decreased significantly. It is suggested that 67-KD LN-R may play important roles in metastatic processes of PG tumor cells.

[Effects of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) cDNA transfection on biological behaviors of PG cells]

A recombinant plasmid, which contains a full length cDNA of human tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), was constructed by using gene recombinant technique, and introduced into a highly metastatic human giant cell carcinoma (PG) by lipofectin technique. Two of the transfectants, PG-T2 and PG-T4, were studied thoroughly. Northern blot showed an increased level of TIMP-1 mRNA in PG-T2 and PG-T4, compared with PG and PG-MV1 (vector-transfected control). The two transfectants also exhibited higher TIMP-1 protein activities. Moreover, they showed significant reduction in their proliferation rate and invasive abilities. The abilities of forming colonies in soft agar and tumorigenecity in athymic nude mice were abrogated in PG-T2 and PG-T4. The preliminary results suggest that a specific upregulation of TIMP-1 expression in metastatic cells could not only suppress their invasive and metastatic phenotype, but also inhibit their proliferation and tumorigenecity.

Differential growth regulation of a metastatic human lung carcinoma cell line through activation of phosphatidyl inositol turnover signal transduction pathway

Until recently, the signal transduction pathways involved in the processes of tumor growth have been poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated cell surface receptors which utilize phosphatidylinositol (Pl) turnover/Ca2+ mobilization as a signal transduction pathway to regulate cell growth in a metastatic human lung carcinoma cell line, PG. We found that purinoceptor agonists, including ATP and its analogs, and bombesin, an amphibian tetradeca-peptide of mammalian homology gastrin-releasing peptide, induced rapid transient increase of cytoplasmic-free Ca2+ in PG cells loaded with fura-2. The Ca2+ responses were derived both from release from internal stores and the opening of plasma membrane Ca2+ channels. HPLC analysis of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) and its isomers showed a receptor-linked phospholipase C activation by ATP and bombesin. Although ATP and bombesin were both able to induce Pl turnover and Ca2+ mobilization in PG cells, they had differential growth regulatory effects on PG cells. Treatment with bombesin stimulated PG cell growth while treatment with ATP inhibited significantly PG cell growth. Pharmacological studies showed that the purinoceptors on PG cells were of the P2 subtype. Other hydrolysis-resistant P2 purinoceptor agonists, including ATP gamma S and AMP-PNP, were as effective as ATP in stimulating Pl turnover and Ca2+ mobilization as well as in inhibiting PG cell growth in vitro, suggesting the potential usefulness of such ATP analogs in clinical trials. Preliminary results suggest G protein involvement in the differential regulation of ATP and bombesin signal transduction pathways.

[Signal transduction study on the growth regulation of cells from human giant cell lung carcinoma in vitro]

The signal transduction involved in growth regulation of cells originally from a human giant cell lung carcinoma(PG) was investigated. The purinergic receptor agonists, ATP and its analogues, as well as bombesin all played a significant growth regulatory role on PG cells. ATP showed a growth inhibitory effect while bombesin showed a growth stimulatory effect on PG cells in vitro. Further investigation showed that ATP and bombesin activated phosphatidylinositol turnover/calcium mobilization signal transduction pathways in PG cells. and increased production of inositol-(1,4,5) trisphosphate and mobilization of intracellular free calcium, in which ATP and bombesin effects were dose-dependent. The purinergic receptor on PG cells was characterized by P2y subtype according to the order of PG cell responses to a series of ATP analogues. Pretreatment with cholera toxin showed different effects on the functions of ATP and bombesin, suggesting that the major difference between ATP and bombesin on signal transduction pathways may be at the G protein level.

Patterns of spatial dispersion, locomotion and foraging behaviour in three groups of the Yunnan snub-nosed langur (Rhinopithecus bieti)

Aspects of the behaviour of three groups of Yunnan snub-nosed langurs, Rhinopithecus bieti, were observed over the course of three field seasons from 1986 to 1988. The major findings of the study were: (1) The habitats of R. bieti were mainly at heights of 3,600-4,150 m above sea level. (2) Groups were very large, with group sizes ranging from more than 100 to 269 individuals. (3) Spatial dispersion densities ranged from about 27 to 106 m2/individual during sleeping and resting, to feeding dispersions as large as 5,000-15,000 m2. (4) The locomotor repertoire of R. bieti consisted largely of walking, jumping and climbing. On very rare occasions, semibrachiation was observed, but true brachiation was never observed. The locomotor repertoires of juveniles were more diverse than those of subadults or adults. (5) Communication consisted mainly of eye-to-eye contact accompanied by murmurs; while loud calls were heard only rarely. (6) Groups moved between sleeping and feeding sites in single file. It is concluded that R. bieti is a mainly terrestrial species.

[Cerebral infarction in 141 cases treated by traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine]

Acute cerebral infarction of 141 cases with treatment combining TCM and WM was reported. The significant effective rate and the effective rate were 65% and 84% in the LT group (low molecular dextran + TCM) respectively; in the LN group (low molecular dextran + Nicotinic acid) were 29% and 41% respectively; in the T group (Salvia miltiorrhiza + Astragalus + Puraria) were 40% and 81.8% respectively. Among them the therapeutic effect in the LT group was the best. The LT group was also superior to the other two groups in serious cases. Cerebral edema developed following cerebrovascular dilator in a week after cerebral infarction; in the early stage, the therapeutic effect could be improved by giving mannitol first and then cerebrovascular dilator. Heart failure could be easily induced by low molecular dextran in the cerebral infarction following rheumatic heart disease. The therapeutic effect was poor in those cases with recurrent cerebral infarction.

[In vivo metastasis of human tumor transplant in T and NK cell immune-deficient mice]

Beige-nude mice with combined T and NK cell deficiency were produced by introducing "nu" gene into the beige mice of C57BL/6 background. The beige-nude mice were characterized by morphological features, level and activity of the NK cell in spleen and peripheral blood. NK cell level of the beige-nude mice was higher than the beige mice and similar to the ordinary nude mice though its NK cell activity was markedly lower than the nude mice. Human lung adenocarcinoma (PAa) was transplanted subcutaneously to the beige-nude mice and nude mice of BALB/cA background. No metastasis was found in BALB/cA nude mice (0/7), while in beige-nude mice, spontaneous lymph node metastasis rate was 36.3% (4/11). It should be noted that the transplanted PAa metastasized to lungs, which had never been seen in BALB/cA nude mice in previous experiments. The increase of metastatic rate is correlated with the relative low NK cell activity of the beige-nude mice. Our observation is that the beige-nude mice could be a suitable experimental model for in vivo study on metastatic behavior of the human tumors.

[Establishment of highly metastatic human tumor cell line in nude mice]

A total of 22 adult nude mice (7 approximately 17 weeks old) of BALB/cA origin were inoculated subcutaneously (SC) with human tumor cell lines derived from rhabdomyosarcoma and lung carcinomas, including squamous cell carcinoma, bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, giant cell carcinoma and 2 types of adenocarcinoma. 12 neoplasms (54.5%) was confirmed at the initial transplantation and 7 serially transplantable tumors were established in 201 nude mice. Metastatic behavior of 7 human tumor cell lines grown in nude mice was judged histologically after sacrifice and SC transplanted tumors could either be highly metastatic (giant cell carcinoma), moderately metastatic (adenocarcinoma PAb), poorly metastatic (squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma PAa) or non-metastatic (small cell carcinoma and bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma). The tumor from SC inoculated giant cell carcinoma (PG) could produce regional and/or distant lymph node metastases (12/12) and lung metastases (9/12) in BALB/cA nude mice maintained under semi-barrier system conditions. Six NIH nude mice developed metastatic tumor nodules both in the lymph node and lung (6/6) under the same condition. The highly metastasizing property of PG transplanted tumors remained after passage for as many as 18 times. The limitations of nude mice as an in vivo model for the study of tumor biology are discussed, eg. malignant neoplasms rarely metastasize when transplanted into nude mice. The use of such model (PG) could lead to a better understanding of the biology of metastasis, thus contributing to the development of new approaches to the therapy of metastasis.