The traditional Chinese medicinal preparation “Anti-inflammatory Agent No.6” (for injection) could raise the phagocytic index and phagocytic rate of the peritoneal macrophages by 2.5 and 3 times respectively in experimental mice, and it could also enhance the activity of complement alternative pathway evidently. However, the serum lysozyme level did not rise unless a large doss of it was given. It was also shown by the measurement of the spleen cell immune specific RFC (IRFC), quantitative hemolysis of SRBC and anti-SRBC antibodies that this preparation promoted the specific humoral immunity at different stages of immune response in mice. The results of cellular immunity tests also revealed that it had an obvious influence upon the delayed hypersensitive reaction as well as on the number of ANAE-positive cells in the peripheral blood. The preparation was proved to have a good anti-infective effect, for it could regulate and enhance a variety of immune functions.
Methanol extracts of the fresh skin of Chinese amphibian Bombina orientalis, caused contraction of the smooth muscles of Wistar rats in vitro. The active extracts were isolated twice by column chromatography of alkaline alumina and sephadex G-15, so that the bioactive eluate C-12 was obtained. The bioactivity of C-12 was inactivated by hydrolysis with chymotrypsin, but not antagonized by cyproheptadine. C-12 was further isolated by reverse phase-high performance liquid chrcmatography (RPHPLC). The elution time of C-12-h peak corresponded to that of bombesin standard and their bioactive peak was identical as well. The peaks of the two peptides on RP-HPLC graphs were found to overlap each other. Furthermore, it was revealed that both peptides had the same amino acid composition.
The above experimental results suggest that C-12-h peptide is most probably bombesin.
Proximal and peripheral hepatic artery occlusion (HAO) have been experimentally performed in 18 dogs, and biochemical and pathological changes were observed. Our results show that the damage done to normal hepatic tissue of the dog by peripheral HAO is far greater than that by proximal HAO. Feasibility and rationality of peripheral HAO are discussed. Meanwhile, we attempt to define the concept of peripheral HAO and permanent HAO. A new embolic is suggested and tried in this study.
In the present, study two methods, duct-obliterated or duct-open with free drainage into the peritoneal cavity, have been used to tackle the problems of pancreatic exocrine drainage in pancreas auto- and allotransplantation in canine. Also, we have performed combined kidney and pancreas grafting in dogs.
On the basis of animal experiments, we have performed 3 duct-obliterated cadaveric segmental pancreas graftings in 3 patients who had insulindependent diabetes. One of them had functioning graft and became insulinindependent for more than one year. Motor nerve conduction velocity returned to normal 4 months after grafting. Signs of autonomous neuropathy, such as burning and numb sensations and chronic diabetes diarrhoea, subsided. From this study it becomes apparent that when rejection occurs, anti-coagulants and thrombolytic agents as well as anti-rejection drugs are required, in order to recover the function of the graft.
Two cases of vascularized heterotopic hemisplenic autotransplantation of the traumatized spleen in adults are reported, and the operative technique and clinical course are described. These two patients have been followed up for 27 and 20 months respectively, and the immunologic parameters, splenic functions, sonarography and99mTc scan studies all indicate that the grafts are in good condition.
The colony formation unit of granulo-monocytic progenitor cell (CFU-GM) growth pattern in the form of small clusters in 103 cases of untreated ANLL indicated favourable prognosis. These cases showed higher rate of complete remission, lower mortality rate and longer survival time than those with other three forms of growth patterns. Serial observations on the variations in number of CFU-GM colonies and in ratio of colonies to clusters are helpful in predicting the prognosis of leukemia. It was found that remission rate was not related to karyotype. However, the mortality rate in the patient group with normal karyotype was low, and the survival time was evidently prolonged. Serial studies of abnormal karyotypes can also help to predict the outcome of leukemia and to prove whether remission is achieved. Therefore, the combined study of CFU-GM and karyotype can provide early objective criteria which are more reliable than clinical parameters alone.
Systolic time intervals (STIs) were measured in 152 normal school children by simultaneous recording of electrocardiogram, phonocardiogram and carotidogram. The influence of factors, such as age, heart rate and blood pressure, upon STI was studied by means of stepwise regression analysis. A highly, significantly negative correlation was observed of QS2 and LVET with heart rate, a significant positive correlation of PEP, QS1, ICT, PEP/ LVET and ICT/LVET with age. Regression equations and normal values of STI in school children were derived. No correlation was found of STI with index of heart volume, which suggests that there is no correlation between left ventricular performance and cardiac size in normal school children.
Two kinds of immunofluorescent assay, the indirect immunofluorescent assay (IIF) and the improved indirect immunofluorescent assay (improved-IIF), were used to detect the intracellular cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigens. It was found that the improved-IIF could demonstrate CMV antigens not only earlier but also in a smaller amount than the IIF. It is obvious that the improved-IIF is a more sensitive method than the IIF. The possible principles for the enhanced sensitivity of improved-IIF were discussed briefly.
Experiments were carried out on 48 unanesthetized, vogotomized, gallamine triethiodide immobilized and artificially ventilated rabbits. Injection of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) into lateral ventricle resulted in a marked increase in respiratory rate and phrenic nerve discharge frequency and a significant elevation of arterial blood pressure. However, no change in respiratory activity and blood pressure was observed when an equal dose of TRH was injected intravenously. On the contrary, morphine administered intravenously produced a decrease in respiratory activity and blood pressure, which could be reversed by TRH applied intralateral-ventricularly. These findings indicate that TRH can stimulate respiratory activity, elevate blood pressure centrally and antagonize morphine-induced depression in respiration and blood pressure.
Different experimental models of auxiliary partial liver transplantation (APLT) in dogs are described in the present paper. The results of paraorthotopic APLT with the graft placed in the right parahepatic fossa were relatively favourable because of good reestablishment of blood supply and drainage of bile duct. In this group, however, the survival time of the dogs submitted to reestablishment of arterial and portal circulation was longer than of those submitted to arterial revascularization only. Histologically, donor hepatocellular regeneration was observed in the former, but there was no such regeneration in the latter. It has further been proved that splanchnic blood supply is of importance to the viability of the graft and the survival of the animal. The experimental results, at the same time, show that auxiliary transplantation of 37 % of the liver is not only of suitable bulk for transplantation, but also provides adequate liver function and promotes regeneration of the host liver.
Using a new radioreceptor assay with125I-staphylococcal protein A as tracing ligand, the authors have determined thyroid stimulating antibody (TSAb) levels in sera of 165 patients with Graves’ disease (GD). The TSAb index (TSAbI) was positive in 91 % (n = 67) of untreated cases, 32 % (n = 28) of cases treated with antithyroid drugs, 28 % (n = 39) of cases in clinical remission, and 90 % (n = 3l) of relapsing cases. TSAbI was found to be negative in all normal controls and negative controls. It was suggested that TSAb existed in sera of most patients with GD, and the variations of TSAb level were correlated with the clinical course of GD. The detection of TSAb may be a useful parameter in monitoring clinical treatment of GD and predicting its relapse.
The suppressor T lymphocyte (TS) function in Graves’ disease (GD) during hyperthyroid and euthyroid state was studied by using the preincubation method. The TS function was estimated by the suppressor index. The results showed: (1) The TS with short life span were functionally defective in GD; (2) The antithyroid drugs could restore their function, but action was relatively slow; (3) The GD patients with longer period of euthyroid state clinically showed a better prospect of the TS function than those with a shorter period and the elderly GD patients. Therefore, it is advisable to continue the antithyroid treatment with maintenance dose of drugs for a relatively long period after reconvalescence.