A novel approach for a dentritic cells (DCs)-based tumor vaccine was developed for the formation of hybrid-engineered J558 after fusion with DCs. To make the hybrid-tumor vaccine generate more efficient specific CTL cytotoxicity against wild-type tumor cells, we genetically engineered tumor cells with mIL-12 gene prior to the cell fusion. mIL-12 was detected at 870±60 pg/(105 cells/ml) in the culture supernatants and the fusion ratio was about 30% by the co-focal microscopic analysis. Vaccination of mice with DCs fused with engineered J558 induced more efficient tumor-specific CTL cytotoxicity against wild-type tumor cellsin vitro and with efficient antitumor immunityin vivo. These results suggest that this approach of using DCs fused with engineered tumor cells could be applied in clinical settings of DCs-based cancer vaccines.
In order to investigate the effects of LPS on the TACE gene transcription and expression and its regulating effect on the TM-TNF secretion, in vitro studies were carried out on HL-60 cells stimulated by LPS. TACE, TNF-α mRNA levels were detected by Dot-Elisa and the distribution of membrane molecules determined by flow cytometry assay and indirect immunofluorescence. The results showed that: (1) TACE was detected in or on HL-60 cells and it is predominantly localized on cell surface and to a perinuclear compartment. (2) LPS induced a time dependent increasement of TNF-α mRNA and enhanced TNF conversion with decreasing distribution of TNF in cell surface and increasing secretion of TNF protein. Such conversion could be inhibited by TACE ODN. (3) LPS also induced time-dependently increased expression of TACE gene and activation of its function. On the other hand, TACE protein in cell lysate and on cell surface was decreased. It was suggested that TACE molecular structure might change following its mediating membrane-anchored molecular secretion.
The activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the uterine flushing and endometrial tissue of normal adult women wearing FCu-IUD (fixed Cu-IUD) or FICu-IUD (indomethacin-releasing FCu-IUD) was observed by using zymography on SDS-PAGE containing gelatin. The results showed that the activity and kinds of MMPs in FCu-IUD group were increased significantly as compared with themselves before being inserted FCu-IUD. However, compared with the FCu-IUD group, the activity of some kinds of MMPs in the FICu-IUD group was decreased significantly. These data suggest that IUD can enhance the activity of MMPs in human endometrium, intermediated by prostaglandins, and MMPs may have relation to IUD-induced menorrhagia and indomethacin reduces IUD-induced menorrhagia by partly inhibiting MMPs synthesis.
The effects of A-L tonic capsule on DNA content in rat experimental hepatocarcinogenesis induced by diethylnitrosamine (DENA) were observed. The experimental rats were divided into 4 groups. With exception of group D in which the rats were only administered with DENA, the rats in the groups A, B, C were previously, simultaneously and subsequently fed with A-L tonic capsule respectively while they were administered with DENA. The DNA content of all rat livers was measured using automatic image analysis technique 20 weeks after administration of DENA. The results showed that the highest and lowest DNA contents were respectively seen in the groups D and A. There was significant difference in DNA contents between the groups A or B or C and D, and also between the groups A and B or C (bothP<0.01). 4 components (4C) and ≥5C cells were predominant in the group D, while 2C cells were the minority. The number of 2C cells in the groups A, B, C was significantly higher than that in the group D, and the number of ≥5C cells in the groups A, B, C was markedly lower than that in the group D (P<0.01). Also, there was very significant difference in the number of 2C and ≥5C cells between group A and B or C (P<0.01). It was concluded that A-L tonic capsule could effectively inhibit the increase of DNA content of hepatocytes and improve the distribution of DNA content in rat hepatocarcinogenesis, especially in group A.
The pharmacokinetics and relative bioavailability were studied in 18 healthy volunteers. A single oral dose of 150 mg irbesartan capsule (test) or tablet (reference) was given to each volunteer according to a randomized 2-way crossover study. The concentrations in plasma were determined by HPLC-UV method. The main parameters of irbesartan capsules were: Cmax: 1.502±0.295 μg/ml, tmax: 1.44±0.34 h, t1/2: 20.21±14.71 h, AUC0−t; 11.087±3.443 μg/ml−1·h. The relative bioavailability of capsule to tablet was (101.4±28.9)%. The results of statistical analysis showed that two formulations were bioequivalent.
The effects and mechanism of long-term angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) Forsinopril on left ventricular hypertrophy of spontaneous hypertension rat (SHR) and left ventricular pressure overloading rat were studied. The left ventricular index (left ventricle weight/body weight) was used to evaluate left ventricular hypertrophy and the in situ hybridization to investigate the TGF-β1 gene expression in left ventricle. The results showed that Forsinopril significantly decreased the left ventricular index of both SHR and left ventricle pressure overloading rat. Forsinopril reduced the integral photic density of TGF-β1 gene statement from 2.836±0.314 to 1.91±0.217 (P<0.01,n=8) of SHR rat and from 3.071±0.456 to 2.376±0.379 (P<0.01,n=8) of left ventricular pressure overloading rat respectively. It was concluded that Forsinopril could prevent the occurrence of left ventricular hypertrophy and reduce the TGF-β1 gene expression in left ventricle of both SHR and left ventricular pressure overloading rat significantly.
In order to further investigate the effect of annexin II (Ann-II) on tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA)-dependent plasminogen (PLG) activation and its interactive mechanism, recombinant native Ann-II bound t-PA, PLG and plasmin with high affinity was examined. The flow cytometric assay showed that the ann-II expression rate was higher in the human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) (87.65%) than in the HL-60 cells as controls (35.79%). Two irrelevant proteins, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and equine IgG (EIG) had no effect on the production of plasmin. Ann-II-mediated enhancement of t-PA-dependent PLG activation was inhibited by ε-aminocaproic acid or by pretreatment of Ann-II with carboxypeptidase B with the inhibitive rate being 77.8% and 77.0%, respectively. It was revealed that the effect of Ann-II on PLG activation was specific for t-PA. Urokinase didn't bind to Ann-II, demonstrating the role of receptor-related lysine residues on activation of PLG, showing that the Ann-II-PLG interaction was dependent upon carboxyl-terminal lysine residues. These findings suggest that annexin II-mediated co-assembly of t-PA and PLG may promote plasmin generation and play a key role in modulating fibrinolysis on the endothelial surface.
The cell-surface expression and functional status of the CD95/Fas antigen on primitive hematopoietic progenitors isolated from human cord blood (CB) were studied. The CD34+ cells freshly isolated from CB displayed low CD95 expression. The combinations of cytokines such as SCF+FL could up-regulate the expression of CD95 in vitro culture and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interon-γ (IFN-γ) further increased the CD95 expression induced by positive cytokines. The functional status of CD95-mediated apoptosis were analyzed by incubation of CD34+CB cells in the presence of anti-CD95 monoclonal antibodies (McAbs). The effects of anti-CD95 McAbs were measured by viable cell counting, flow cytometry, LTIC and CFU-C assays. A decrease of viable cells, CFU-C and LTIC numbers were observed in the presence of anti-CD95 McAbs and TNF-α or IFN-γ. However, growth factor deprivation or the early-acting cytokine such as SCF and FL cross-linking to CD95 caused low apoptosis of CD34+ cells. The correlation of increased intracytoplasmic levels of bcl-2 and the presence of CD95 on fresh CB CD34+ cells suggested that bcl-2 might be involved in protecting against CD95-mediated apoptosis of CB CD34+ cells.
In order to study the effect of and mechanism of lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC) on proliferation of the calf thoracic aorta smooth muscle cells (ASMCs), the ASMCs were used to observe the effects of LysoPC-induced endothelial cell conditioned medium on the DNA content and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in the calf thoracic ASMCs by flow cytometry and Western Blot technique. It was found that LysoPC-induced endothelial cell conditioned medium could significantly promote PCNA expression of the calf ASMCs, induce the converting of ASMCs from G0/G1 phase to S phase of DNA synthesis, and increase the tyrosine phosphorylation protein expression. Tyrosine protein kinase inhibitor (TPKi) RG50864 could obviously inhibit proliferation of LysoPC-induced ASMCs in a dose-dependence manner. The results indicated that the effect of LysoPC promoting the proliferation of ASMCs is partly evoked by endothelial cell derived growth factors such as PDGF and so on.
Whether the ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener pinacidil can provide myocardial protective effects in prolonged isolated global ischemic rat heart was investigated. On modified isolated rat working heart model, 40 hearts were divided into four groups randomly: Hyperpolarized arrest H-K solution containing pinacidil (50 μmol/L) (P1 and P2) and depolarized arrest St. Thomas' solution (S1 and S2) subjected to 15 C hypothermia, 60 min (P1 and S1) or 120 min (P1 and S2) of ischemia and 30 min reperfusion. The experimental indices included cardioplegic efficiency, cardiac function, coronary blood flow, myocardial enzyme release, myocardial water and ATP content. Hyperpolarized arrest provided significantly better recovery of cardiac function than depolarized arrest. Postischemic coronary flow and myocardial ATP content were higher. The arrest time of electro-mechanical activities were longer than depolarized arrest. There were no differences among the groups in myocardial water contents. The hyperpolarized arrest solution containing pinacidil can provide a marked myocardial protective effect during prolonged hypothermic myocardial ischemia.
The modulatory role of bcl-2 gene in hepatocellular apoptosis of rats with glycochenodeoxycholate (GCDC)-induced obstructive jaundice was investigated. The hepatocytes in normal rats and those with bile duct-ligation for 7 days, 14 days and 21 days were isolated and obtained by in situ collagenase perfusion and primary culture. The expression of bcl-2 mRNA in the hepatocytes was detected by RT-PCR. Primary culture was performed on the hepatocytes from normal rats and those with bile duct-ligation for 14 days. 100 μmol/L GCDC was added to the hepatocytes for incubation for 24 h. The hepatocellular apoptotic ratio was measured by using FCM and hepatocellular apoptosis detected in situ by using TUNEL technique. Results showed that the expression of bcl-2 mRNA was not detectable in the hepatocytes of normal rats by RT-PCR technique, while detectable in the hepatocytes of those with bile duct ligation (BDL) for 7, 14 and 21 days. Hepatocellular apoptosis in the BDL group was obviously decreased as compared with normal control group after addition of 100 μmol/L GCDC to the cells for 24 h. It was concluded that the hepatocytes in the BDL rats expressed bcl-2. During obstructive jaundice, expression of bcl-2 from the hepatocytes can inhibit the bile salt-induced hepatocellular apoptosis.
The purpose of the present study was to assess the correlation that likely exists among increased portal pressure (Pp), portal blood flow quantity (Qp) and ETA and ETB receptor mRNA expression in human cirrhosis.In situ hybridization and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) were performed to determine the expression of ETA and ETB receptor mRNA in liver tissues from traumatic subjects (n=10) and cirrhotic patients (n=15) in whom hepatic hemodynamic values were measured. The expression of the two transcripts was significantly higher in liver samples of cirrhotic patients than in those obtained from traumatic subjects. It has shown that ETA receptor mRNA predominantly located in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and vascular smooth muscle cells of intrahepatic arteries and portal veins, ETB receptor mRNA in HSCs, sinusoidal endothelial cells and Kuppfer cells. There was a highly significant direct relationship between ETA and ETB receptor mRNA and Pp and Qp in cirrhotic patients. It suggests that liver paracrine endothelin system may be overactivated in human cirrhosis accompanied with increased expression of ETA and ETB receptor mRNA which may play an important role in the pathogenesis and maintenance of splanchnic hyperdynamics.
In order to investigate the possibility of expression of exogenous gene in transduced articular chondrocytes, plasmid pcDNA3-rhBMP7 was delivered to cultured chondrocytes. Through immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR assay, the expression of rhBMP7 gene was detected. And the bioactivity of transgene expression product was detected through MTT assay as well. It was confirmed that exogenous gene could be expressed efficiently in transduced chondrocytes and the transgene therapy on the problems of articular cartilge.
To evaluate the effects of wild-type p53 gene on the growth and chemotherapeutic sensitivity of human glioma cells, plasmid PC53-SN3 carrying wild-type p53 gene was transfected into U251 cells. p53 gene expression in transfected cells was detected by RT-PCR, the cell growth inhibition and apoptosis in either the absence or the presence of cisplatin was assessed by MTT and flow cytometry. The transfection of p53 gene into U251 cells was confirmed by RT-PCR. MTT showed that p53 gene by itself induced strong inhibition effect on the growth of U251 cells [inhibition rate, IR (79.60±5.69) %]. The killing effects of cisplatin by itself on U251 cells was not strong [IR with the increase of cisplatin concentration (1, 2, 4, 8 μg/ml). When combined treatment of wild-type p53 gene transfection and cisplatin was used, that was significantly increased [IR (91.64±1.00) %, (94.98±1.67) %, (95.32±2.01) %, (95.65±1.00) %]. The apoptosis rate of U251 cells induced by p53 gene transfection was 17.38%. That induced by cisplatin increased (5.71%, 5.93%, 6.27%, and 6.81%) with the increase of cisplatin concentration (1, 2, 4, 8 μg/ml). The apoptosis rate was also significantly increased (23.50%, 23.54%, 23.89%, and 28.88%) after combined treatment of p53 and cisplatin with different concentration (1, 2, 4, 8 μg/ml). It is concluded that wild-type p53 gene and cisplatin could result in synergistic inhibition effects on the growth of human glioma cells.
To analyze the causes of failure in conventional treatment to refractory gastroesophageal reflux diseases (GERD) patients, 16 refractory GERD patients (group R) and 16 cases of GERD primarily diagnosed (group P) were studied. Endoscopy, pathologic examination and14C urea breath test were conducted in every patient. 24 h ambulatory pH and bilirubin monitoring were performed with Digitrapper MK III and Synetics Bilitec 2000. It was found that esophagitis in group R was more severe than in group P. The rate of Helicobacter pylori infection in group R was significantly lower than in group P. Fraction time pH below 4.00 was not longer while the bile reflux represented by fraction time abs above 0.14 was greater for patients in the group R as compared with those in the group P. The mixed refluxes and pure bile refluxes between the two groups had significant difference. The reflux episodes in the group R mainly occurred during nights. These results indicated that severe esophagitis, especially Barrett's esophagus with complications makes it difficult to control GERD. Severe duodenogastroesophageal refluxes (DGER) are often accompanied by refractory GERD. Mixed refluxes aggravate the esophageal injuries. Pure bile refluxes and nocturnal refluxes may cause failure of administration of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in the morning. Helicobacter pylori infection and acid refluxes may not be the direct cause of refractoriness. Individual refractory GERD patient without abnormal results on pH or bile reflux recently should be diagnosed again.
From May, 2000 to June, 2001, 27 patients with Parkinson disease (PD), including 10 cases of rigidity, 13 cases of tremor, 4 cases of rigidity and tremor, were treated by microelectrodeguided technique. Among them, phlebotomy was carried out in 17 cases and thalamotomy in 10 cases. All the targets of lesion were anatomically located by using MR and neurophysiological signals on microelectrode. Our results showed that the efficiency of microelectrode-guided technique for treatment of PD was 98%. The postoperative unified parkinson disease rating scale were 12.3±9.1 and 13.2±8.9 respectively, which significantly mproved as compared with those before operation. It was concluded that by recognizing special electrical signals in neurons microelectrode-guided neuropsychological techniques can locate target at cellular level, which overcomes the individual difference in anatomy and function, and allow more accuracy, safety and efficiency of operation. This is especially true of PD patients who fail to respond to medical treatment.
To evaluate the possibility and accuracy of Doppler tissue image (DTI) on assessment of normal and abnormal ventricular activation and contraction sequence, 9 open chest canine hearts were analyzed by acceleration mode, M-mode, and spectrum mode DTI. Our results showed that: (1) Acceleration mode DTI could show the origin of activation and conduction sequence on line; (2) M-mode DTI revealed that the activation in mid-interventricular septum was earlier than that in mid-left ventricular posterior wall at sinus activation; (3) Spectrum DTI showed the ventricular endocardium was activated earlier than the ventricular epicardium in all segments at sinus rhythm. The earliest site of activation of the normal ventricular wall was at middle interventricular septum; the latest site was at basal-posterior wall; the contraction sequence was different at the different walls; (4) During abnormal ventricular activation, mid-left ventricular posterior wall was activated earliest in accordance with the pacing sites. Abnormal ventricular activation was slower than sinus activation, and the contraction sequence varied at different sites of ventricular wall. It is concluded that DTI can be used to localize the origin of normal or abnormal myocardial activation and to assess the contraction sequence conveniently, accurately and non-invasively.
The change in serum laminin (LN) level and its clinical significance in epithelial ovarian tumor were investigated. The LN levels in serum and ascites samples from 69 patients with epithelial ovarian tumor and 42 cases as control group before and after operation were analyzed by radioimmunoassay. The results showed that the serum LN levels in the patients with malignant tumors (157.85±14.37 ng/ml) were significantly higher than that in the control group (125.14±7.03 ng/ml) and in the patients with benign tumors (128.36±8.75 ng/ml) (bothP<0.01) before operation. The serum LN levels in the malignant group were decreased significantly after operation as compared with those before operation (P<0.05). The serum LN levels in low-differentiated tumors was higher than those in moderate-differentiated tumors and high-differentiated tumors (P<0.05). The LN levels in ascites (172.94±15.26 ng/ml) was significantly higher than in serum (161.34±6.59 ng/ml) (P<0.05) in malignant tumors. The serum LN levels in the patients with lymph node metastasis (165.41±19.91 ng/ml) was obviously higher than those without lymph node metastasis (152.35±10.34 ng/ml) (P<0.05). It was concluded that LN levels in serum and acistes were remarkably increased in malignant epithelial ovarian tumors, suggesting that LN might be one of important diameters reflecting tumor biological characteristics.
In order to evaluate the expression of HLA-DR antigen in glandular cells in eutopic and ectopic endometrium in patients with endometriosis, 19 infertile patients with endometriosis were analyzed immunohistochemically by labelled streptavidin biotin (LSAB) method. Nineteen infertile patients without endometriosis were studied as controls. The results showed that the expression of HLA-DR antigen in the glandular cells in both eutopic and ectopic endometrium was increased significantly as compared with that in the controls (P<0.01). It is likely that aberrant expression of HLA-DR antigen in endometriotic tissue is involved in abormal immunogenesis of endometriosis.
To investigate whether the TGF-β1 plasmid DNA carried by lipofectamine could be introduced into cultured rabbit corneal epithelial cells, specific expression of the plasmid pMAM TGF-β1 in the cultured corneal epithelial cells was studied. Two days after 12 h of transfection of pMAMT-GF-β1 mediated by lipofectamine into the cultured corneal epithelial cells, the TGF-β1 protein expression specific for pMAMTGF-β1 in the cells was detected by means of immunohistochemical staining and the positive rate was 23.37%. The results suggested that foreign plasmid DNA could be effectively delivered into cultured rabbit corneal epithelial cells by means of lipofectamine, and this will provide a promising method of studying TGF-β1 on the mechanism of physiology and pathology concerned with corneal epithelial cells.
In order to investigate the efficiency of a new quantitative head-band formed ocular compressor to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP), ocular compression by this new reducer with 40 mmHg for 10 min was performed on 87 cataractous eyes of 78 cases. The changes of IOP (87 eyes) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) were observed. There was a significant decrease of IOP and increase of ACD within 30 min after decompression (P<0.001). The mean decrease of IOP was 5.62±2.41 mmHg and the mean increase of ACD was 0.18±0.09 mm within 5 min after decompression. The IOP 5 min after decompression had no significant difference with that 10 min after decompression (P >0.05). IOP below 10 mmHg could last for about 15 min. This apparatus had been successfully applied to 80 eyes for extracapsular cataract extraction. It was suggested that this device had the advantages of safety, accurate quantification, reliable effect, casually adjusting pressure according to various demands and time-saving.
Whether cultured bovine trabecular meshwork cells and trabecular tissue ex vivo express insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein was investigated. Total RNA of cultured bovine trabecular meshwork cells as well as trabecular meshwork tissue freshly excised from bovine eyes was extracted, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect IGF-I mRNA. RT-PCR product was verified by sequencing. Immunohistochemical stain was used to detect IGF-I protein. The results showed that a single PCR amplified product was obtained, and the sequence was homologous to the known sequence. IGF-I immunostain was positive in the cytoplasm of trabecular meshwork cells. It was concluded that trabecular meshwork cells produce IGF-I and contribute to the presence of IGF-I in trabecular meshwork microenvironment as well as aqueous humor. Trabecular meshwork cells were affected by IGF-I not only through paracrine, but also autocrine action. Whether abnormal down-regulations in IGF-I production may contribute to the pathogenesis of primary open-angle glaucoma and the possibility of promoting the autocrine action of IGF-I by trabecular meshwork cells to treat the diesease is worth further investigation.
The effects of different doses of nitric oxide (NO) on the proliferation and apoptosis of the cultured bovine trabecular meshwork (TM) cells were studied. L-arginine and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl (L-NAME) were incubated with TM cells for 48h. In the control group, no medicine was given. In the experimental groups, concentrations of L-arginine and L-NAME were 1×10−7 mol/L, 1×10−6 mol/L, 1×10−5 mol/L, 1×10−4 mol/L, 1×10−3 mol/L and 1×10−2 mol/L, respectively. NO2− in supernate, the proliferation and apoptosis of TM cells and mRNA expression of bcl-2 and bax were measured by Griess reagent, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), MTT assay and in situ hybridization, respectively. The results showed that L-arginine with concentration ≥1×10−4 mol/L could induce apoptosis of the TM cells and inhibit the proliferation of TM cells through increasing the NO levels, down-regulating bcl-2 mRNA expression and up-regulating bax mRNA expression; L-NAME with concentration ≥1×10−5 mol/L could induce the proliferation of the TM cells through suppressing the production of NO. It was concluded that NO in high level could induce apoptosis of the TM cells and suppress the proliferation of the TM cells.
The effects of BCG-PSN on T-cell subsets and cytokines in vernal conjunctivitis were observed. The level of total IgE was quantitatively determined before and after treatment with BCG-PSN by allergen diagnostic instrumentin vitro. The content of T-cell subsets of peripheral blood and cytokine were determined by using indirect immune fluorescence method, and IL-4 and INF-γ were quantified by ELISA. The results showed that the level of total IgE was substantially reduced (P<0.01) after treatment in the BCG-PSN group. Meanwhile, CD8+ was decreased, CD4+ and CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ ratio elevated with significant differences (P<0.05) as compared with pre-treatment results. The changes in total IgE, CD8+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ ratio after treatment also presented significant differences (P<0.05) between BCG-PSN group and routine treatment group. The level of IL-4 in serum declined (P<0.05) after treatment in the BCG-PSN group, and INF-γ went up (P<0.05). IL-4 and INF-γ in serum showed significant differences (P<0.05) between two groups after treatment. It is concluded that BCG-PSN has a bi-directional immunoregulating effect. It can bring CD4+ and CD8+ into homeostasis, thereby preventing the occurrence of anaphylaxis. At the same time, BCG-PSN can restrain Th2, decrease the synthesis of IL-4, switch the balance of Th1/Th2 to Th1 side, boost up the predominance of Th1 relatively, which is propitious to perennial stabilization and recovery of vernal conjunctivitis.
To treat large facial defect (more than 6 cm×4 cm in diameter) or a wound with bone exposure to atmosphere by less-traumatic, easier-healing reconstruction method, a pedicle flap inducing facial, neck, posterior auricle and occipital skin flap was designed and transferred, one by one, to repair facial defect as well as other flap donor sites, but occipital skin flap was only used to cover posterior auricle area. After 2–3 years follow-up, well-healed skin flaps with good color, elasticity and sensation were observed in all 16 patients. It is concluded that this method is effective and practical.
To assess the pharyngeal presentations and the diagnostic value of thyroid SPECT and thyroid fine needle aspiratory biopsy (FNAB) in subacute thyroiditis (SAT) as seen initially in ENT department, 30 patients, during the course of SAT, were examined for pharyngeal symptoms and tested for serum T3, T4 level. The thyroid SPECT imaging or thyroid FNAB were performed. Our results showed that, of the 30 patients, 21 had sore throat of various degrees, and 9 had abnormal sensation of throat. Six were diagnosed as having SAT by only SPECT, in the remaining 24, the final diagnoses was established by SPECT combined with FNAB. Two of them were finally diagnosed as having SAT by trial treatment with oral prednisone. It is concluded that sore throat and abnormal sensation of pharynx are the important presentations of SAT, and thyroid SPECT imaging and thyroid FNAB are valuable in diagnosing SAT.
One hundred infants were divided into the following 3 gestational age (GA) groups: (I) premature infants (n=30) with the gestational age between 29 and 32 weeks; (II) premature infants (n=30) with the gestational age between 33 and 36 weeks; (III) full-term infants (n=40). The recorded responses of all infants to pain included the behavioral responses to painful stimuli (cry, facial activity and limbs movement) and the variety of heart rate. The results indicated that the infants of 3 groups had different degree response to various painful stimuli. Pain expression in full term infants was more significant than premature infants to same stimuli. 33-weeks GA infants were differential from 29-weeks GA infants. Full term infants showed more vertical mouth stretch and more taut tongue and more hand to mouth than premature infants, but more horizontal mouth stretch in premature infants.
Seven cases of typical salpingian diverticulum were identified by hysterosalpinography (HSG). The differentiation diagnosis of the disease was discussed. HSG is believed to be the method of choice for the diagnosis of this disease.
ISO9000 quality management system (ISO9000QMS) emphasize on the customer-oriented, managers' leadership and all staff's joining, adopt the process method and system management, spread the taking facts as a basis to make decision and improve consistently, and establish win-win relation with the suppliers. So, the digital hospital can adopt the ISO9000QMS. In order to establish the ISO9000QMS, the digital hospital should: (1) Design integrally, including analyzing the operation procedure, clarifying the job duties, setting up the spreading team and setting the quality policy and objectives: (2) Learning the ISO9000 quality standards; (3) Drawing up the documents, including the quality manual, program files and operation guiding files; (4) Training according the documents; (5) Executing the quality standard, including the service quality auditing, quality record auditing and quality system auditing; (6) Improving continually. With the establishment of ISO900QMS, the digital hospital can appraise more accurately, analyze quality matters statistically and avoid the interference of artificial factors.
The variable heavy chain region (VH) genes of 3 untreated patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) were cloned and analyzed. The VH family used was VH3-11, VH3-72 and VH3-33. More than 2% difference from the corresponding germline gene was detected in all the 3 obtained potential functional genes (average 16.7). Mutation pattern analysis indicated evidence of antigen selective pressure observed in 1 of 3 cases. Our findings suggested that the tumor cells originate from post-GC cells.