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Background and Objective: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), with a remarkable geographic distribution, is consistently associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, and almost all NPC patients have sustained high levels of serum antibodies against EBV. This study was to compare the levels of six anti-EBV antibodies in healthy natives of Zhongshan (a high-incidence area of NPC) with those in provisional migrants from foreign provinces (low-incidence areas of NPC), and to illustrate the relationship between EBV infection and the geographic distribution of NPC., Methods: The serum levels of EBNA1-IgA, EBNA1-IgG, VCA-p18-IgA, VCA-p18-IgG, Zta-IgA and Zta-IgG in 303 healthy Zhongshan natives and 92 provisional migrants were tested using ELISA, and presented by values of adjusted relative absorbance (ArA). The serum levels and positive rates of the six antibodies were compared between the two groups., Results: The mean ArA values of both Zta-IgA and VCA-p18-IgA were significantly higher in Zhongshan natives than in provisional migrants (0.84+/-0.03 vs. 0.42+/-0.04, P <0.05; 0.96+/-0.05 vs. 0.40+/-0.05, P<0.05). In addition, the positive rates of Zta-IgA and VCA-p18-IgA in subjects aged of 30-49, or of 50 and above were significantly higher in Zhongshan natives than in provisional migrants (29.27% vs. 3.03% and 48.28% vs. 6.67% for Zta-IgA, P<0.05; 28.46% vs. 9.09% and 43.10% vs. 13.33% for VCA-p18-igA, P<0.05)., Conclusion: Zhongshan natives are likely to have an elevation of serum IgA antibodies against EBV lytic antigens (Zta and VCA-p18), which represents reactivation of EBV latency infection and implies that Zhongshan natives may have higher risk to develop NPC than provisional migrants.

Objective: To investigate PTEN expression and mutation status in the development of cervical adenocarcinoma., Methods: Immunohistochemistry study of PTEN protein was performed on 42 cases of cervical adenocarcinoma, 20 cases of cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia and 28 cases of normal cervix tissue samples. Polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) was used to detect the presence of mutation of exons 5 and 8 of PTEN gene., Results: Positive expression rates of PTEN protein were 54.8% (23/42), 25.0% (5/20) and 100% (28/28) in cervical adenocarcinoma, cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia and normal cervix tissues, respectively. There were significant differences among the 3 groups (P < 0.05). Positive expression rates of PTEN protein were 47.4% (9/19), 20.0% (2/10) and 92.3% (12/13) in mucinous, endometrioid and the other variants of cervical adenocarcinoma, respectively. Mutation rates at exon 5 and exon 8 of PTEN gene were 19.0% (8/42), 45.0% (9/20) and 0 in cervical adenocarcinoma, cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia and normal cervix tissue, respectively. There were significant differences among 3 groups (chi(2) = 4.29, chi(2) = 12.70; P < 0.05). The mutation rates were 21.1% (4/19) and 40.0% (4/10) in mucinous and endometrioid variants of cervical adenocarcinoma, respectively. There was no mutation at exons 5 and 8 of PTEN gene detected in other variants of cervical adenocarcinoma., Conclusion: The development of cervical adenocarcionomas is correlated with the mutation and absence of the protein expression of PTEN, likely in the early phase of their carcinogenesis.

Objective: To elucidate the possible mechanism of oral carcinogenesis and to explore the value of clinical application of the detection of cytokeratin (CK) 19 for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients., Methods: The cancerous tissues, para-cancerous tissues and excised lymph nodes were collected from 20 operated patients with OSCC. The patients didn't receive radiotherapy and chemotherapy before hospitalization. The relative expression of CK19 mRNA in those tissues was detected by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR)., Results: The expression of CK19 mRNA in the cancerous tissues was 1.85 and 1.66 times higher than that in normal oral mucosa and in para-cancerous tissues, respectively. The expression of CK19 mRNA in lymph nodes from 9 patients with OSCC was positive and the positive rate was 45% (9/20). The positive rate of CK19 mRNA in all lymph nodes from 9 patients with OSCC was 81.8% (18/22), and the positive rate of CK19 mRNA in all lymph nodes from 20 patients with OSCC was 41.9%(18/43). CK19 mRNA level in the cancerous tissues relative to para-cancerous tissues and normal oral mucosa of the patients whose CK19 mRNA expression was positive was lower than that of the patients whose CK19 mRNA expression was negative in lymph nodes, respectively., Conclusion: The possible reason that the expression of CK19 mRNA in the cancerous tissues was higher than that in para-cancerous tissues and normal oral mucosa was that the CK19 synthesis in cancerous tissues increased obviously. The detection of CK19 mRNA in lymph nodes was regarded probably as one of the markers for detecting OSCC micrometastasis in lymph nodes. The detection of CK19 mRNA in lymph nodes by FQ-PCR was more sensitive than hematoxylin-eosin staining in diagnosing OSCC micrometastasis.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES.: A rapid diagnosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is mandatory for optimal treatment. However, a small proportion of patients with suspected STEMI suffer from other conditions. Although case reports have described these conditions, a contemporary systematic analysis is lacking. We report the incidence, clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with suspected STEMI referred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with a final diagnosis other than STEMI. METHODS.: From January 2004 to July 2005, 820 consecutive patients were included with suspected STEMI who were referred for primary PCI to a university medical centre, based on a predefined protocol. Clinical characteristics, final diagnosis and outcome were obtained from patient charts and databases. RESULTS.: In 19 patients (2.3%), a final diagnosis other than myocardial infarction was established: coronary aneurysm (n=1), (myo)pericarditis (n=5), cardiomyopathy (n=2), Brugada syndrome (n=1), aortic stenosis (n=1), aortic dissection (n=3), subarachnoidal haemorrhage (n=2), pneumonia (n=1), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n=1), mediastinal tumour (n=1), and peritonitis after recent abdominal surgery (n=1). These patients less often reported previous symptoms of angina (p<0.001), smoking (p<0.05) and a positive family history of cardiovascular diseases (p<0.05) than STEMI patients. Mortality at 30 days was 16%. CONCLUSION.: A 2.3% incidence of conditions mimicking STEMI was found in patients referred for primary PCI. A high clinical suspicion of conditions mimicking STEMI remains necessary. (Neth Heart J 2008;16:325-31.).

Background: Reduced-size liver transplantation is associated with liver regeneration. This study was designed to analyze the influence of graft size on liver rejection and liver regeneration., Methods: Reduced-size liver transplantations were performed in the rejecting ACI to Lewis and the graft acceptance BN to Lewis strain combination. The BN to Lewis control group was treated with the immunosuppressive drug FK506., Results: An accelerated liver rejection in the ACI to Lewis strain combination was found in small-for-size partial liver grafts. Graft weight to recipient liver weight ratio (GW/RLW) showed a positive correlation with survival time. In the BN to Lewis strain combination, lethal rejection was seen in small-for-size partial liver grafts. A critical immunologic GW/RLW of 33% was calculated. In rats dying from lethal rejection, GW/RLW and survival time showed a positive correlation. However, GW/RLW showed a negative correlation with hepatocellular proliferation. In regenerating livers, MHC II upregulation was also observed in the control group. All control animals survived small-for-size liver transplantation., Conclusions: The relative graft size seems to be a decisive factor influencing the kinetic of liver rejection and the induction of liver rejection. Relative critical immunologic liver mass was determined to be 33%.

Unlabelled: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the most common cause of cryptogenic cirrhosis, is becoming more prevalent in China. However, there is as yet no clearly established therapy for reversing fatty liver. Our aim is to explore the effect of traditional Chinese herbs QuYuHuaTanTongLuo Decoction (QYHTTLD) on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Sixty-nine non-alcoholic steatohepatitis patients were randomly divided into two groups. One group of 35 patients were treated by QYHTTLD, another group of 34 patients were treated by Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). The TNF-alpha, IL-8, MDA level, SOD activity and liver function, as well as B ultrasonic image were detected before and after being treated. The results showed: after 6 months treatment, MBI of the treatment group was obviously decreased (p<0.05). The levels of TC, TG and LDL-C were significantly decreased whereas the level of HDL-C increased (p<0.01, p<0.05, p<0.05, and p<0.05, respectively) in the treatment group, the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C had no significant difference in the control group (p>0.05). The levels of TNF-alpha, IL-8 and MDA were significantly decreased whereas SOD activity was significantly increased (p<0.01, p<0.05, p<0.01, and p<0.01, respectively) in the treatment group, the level of MDA was significantly decreased in the control group (p<0.05). B ultrasonic images were ameliorated in different degree (p<0.01 and p<0.01, respectively). Both QYHTTLD and UDCA had the effect in improving the scores of symptoms and signs of patients, however, the difference value of the scores in treatment group were significantly higher than that in control group after being treated for 6 months (p<0.05)., Conclusion: QYHTTLD is effective for treating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and its effect seems to relate with the ways of QYHTTL down-regulating inflammation cytokine IL-8 level and relieving lipid peroxidation of liver.

Rehmannia glutinosa, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has been used to increase physical strength. Here, we report that Rehmannia glutinosa extract (RE) inhibits adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis. RE impairs differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. At the molecular level, treatment with RE inhibits expression of the key adipocyte differentiation regulator C/EBPbeta, as well as C/EBPalpha and the terminal marker protein 422/aP2, during differentiation of preadipocytes into adipocytes. Additionally, RE inhibits the mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) process of adipocyte differentiation, and RE prevents localization of C/EBPbeta to the centromeres. RE also prevents high fat diet (HFD) induced weight gain and adiposity in rats. Taken together, our results indicate that Rehmannia glutinosa extract inhibits preadipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis in cultured cells and in rodent models of obesity.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of localizing the internal auditory canal (IAC) and the facial nerve through the root of the zygoma, foramen spinosum and the head of the malleus in middle fossa approach with the assistance of high resolution computerized tomography (HRCT)., Methods: Eighteen human cadaveric temporal bones were scanned and measured by HRCT. Cadaver specimen were divided into two groups. Group A was studied first through a middle fossa approach to find out the relationship between the HRCT measurements and the anatomic measurements. Then 4 whole human cadaveric heads (8 temporal bones) of group B were dissected using a HRCT oriented middle fossa approach to localize IAC with the root of the zygoma, foramen spinosum and the head of the malleus as landmarks. The two measurement methods were analysed with the Paired-Sample T test, and the difference was thought to be statistical significant when P < 0.05., Results: In Group A, there were no statistical significant differences between the CT measurements and the anatomic measurements from the head of the malleus to other important anatomic structures. In group B, the operation was guided with CT measurements: the distance between the head of the malleus and the root of the zygoma, and the distance between the head of the malleus and foramen spinosum. Within the range 1.5 mm to 3.7 mm, the head of malleus was correctly localized. In seven out of the eight cases, the root of the zygoma, the head of the malleus and the internal auditory canal were in a straight line, whereas, in one case, there was an angle of 15 degrees between the root of zygoma -head of malleus line and head of malleus -internal auditory canal line., Conclusions: HRCT would provide more information on the distance relationship between the head of malleus and the root of the zygoma, foramen spinosum and the internal auditory canal. The head of the malleus could be localized through the root of the zygoma and foramen spinosum with HRCT and therefore the IAC could be exposed with the head of the malleus as a landmark in middle fossa approach when other landmarks were not recognizable.

Fly ash from municipal solid waste (MSW), medical waste (MW) and electrical power plant (EPP) incinerators were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). The study showed that the PCDD/F levels in fly ash were EPP

Objective: To study the preparation of phenols gastric floating tablet., Method: The tablets which were prepared using Eudragit IV, HPMC(K4M), MCC101 and Octadecanol as excipients were evaluated by vitro floatation and releasing performance. The pressure of preparationg was also study to select the optimal preparation., Result: The tablets were successfully prepared in which the drug, Eudragit IV, Octadecanol were 31% respectively,and MCC101 was 7%. And 3-4 kg was found to be the eligible pressure., Conclusion: The study was found to be effective in the process of phenols gastric floating tablet.

We here present 2 patients who developed hepatitis E, without having been abroad or in contact with anyone who did, indicating locally acquired hepatitis E. We point out that the consumption of raw pig meat could be of relevance in HEV-associated hepatitides in the Netherlands.

Background: Seasonal variation in immunity has been found in healthy individuals and in association with some diseases. It is still unknown whether seasonal variation affects the clinical course of chronic hepatitis B. Our aim in this study was to explore the effect of seasonal variation on the clinical course of chronic hepatitis B., Methods: The flare and remission time of chronic hepatitis B were observed in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. All patients enrolled were followed up at least every 3 months for a mean follow-up time of 24.0 (range, 12-60) months. Seasonal decomposition was employed to analyze the relationship between seasonal variation and flares, remission, and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B patients during follow-up., Results: A total of 2238 patients were observed in our study. Flare and HBeAg seroconversion were seldom seen in 1076 patients (48.08%) with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels of less than 2.0 x upper limit of normal (ULN) during follow-up (mean, 36 months). The remaining 1162 patients (51.92%) (766, HBeAg positive; 387 anti-HBeAg positive; 9 negative for both HBeAg and anti-HBeAg) with ALT levels >or=2.0 x ULN were followed longitudinally for 12 months to judge flare, remission, and HBeAg seroconversion. Flare, remission, and HBeAg seroconversion in patients with ALT levels >or=2.0 x ULN showed clear seasonal patterns (P < 0.001), with high peaks during spring, summer, and summer, respectively. An autocorrelation correlogram showed that flares, remission, and HBeAg seroconversion occurred with distinct periodicity in winter, spring, summer, and autumn., Conclusions: Seasonal variation might affect the clinical course of chronic hepatitis B. The role of seasonal triggering factors should be further investigated.

Aim: Recently it has been reported that granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) can induce hypercoagulability in healthy bone marrow donors. It is conceivable that the induction of a prothrombotic state in a recipient of an organ graft with already impaired perfusion might cause further deterioration in the transplanted organ. This study evaluated whether G-CSF treatment worsens liver perfusion following liver transplantation in the rat model., Methods: A non-arterialized rat liver transplantation model was employed to evaluate the effect of G-CSF treatment on the liver in a syngeneic and allogeneic strain combination. Study outcomes included survival time and liver damage as investigated by liver enzymes and liver histology. Observation times were 1 d, 1 wk and 12 wk., Results: Rats treated with G-CSF had increased incidence and severity of biliary damage following liver transplantation. In these animals, hepatocellular necrosis was accentuated in the centrilobular region. These lesions are indicative of impaired perfusion in G-CSF treated animals., Conclusion: G-CSF should be used with caution in recipients of liver transplantation, as treatment might enhance preexisting, undetected perfusion problems and ultimately lead to ischemia induced biliary complications.

Background: Despite the newly discovered plasticity of hematopoietic stem cells, their capacity to "transdifferentiate" into parenchymal cells and the regulation of this process is not yet elucidated. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of stem cell mobilization and liver regeneration on this process using a syngeneic rat female-to-male liver transplantation model., Methods: Rate and frequency of Y-chromosome containing hepatocytes was determined by fluorescence-in situ hybridization (FISH) using a rat Y-chromosome specific probe. Rats were subjected to full-size or partial liver transplantation with and without stem cell mobilization using granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). The effect of stem cell mobilization was confirmed by assessing the white blood count and by evaluating the migration of granulopoietic precursor cells to the liver., Results: Treatment with G-CSF induced a twofold increase of peripheral white blood cells and a strong influx of granulopoietic precursor cells into the liver. Transplantation of a partial liver graft was followed by a 90% recovery of the original liver weight within a week, demonstrating the strong regenerative stimulus. Irrespective of the experimental model, the incidence and rate of Y-chromosome containing hepatocytes never exceeded 0.77%., Conclusion: Neither stem cell mobilization nor liver regeneration enhanced the incidence or rate of stem cell derived hepatocytes in a liver graft with unimpaired regenerative potential.

Background: Rhythm control is indicated for patients suffering from symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF), but remains difficult to establish. We investigated the long-term outcome of Cox maze III surgery in patients with symptomatic lone AF refractory to antiarrhythmic drug therapy., Methods: Patients with a history of symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent AF refractory for at least two class I or III antiarrhythmic drugs and without structural heart disease or bradyarrhythmias were included. All patients underwent Cox maze III surgery. Complete success was defined as the absence of AF without antiarrhythmic drugs beyond 3 months after the procedure, and partial success as the absence of AF with antiarrhythmic drug use., Results: A total of 29 patients were included (27 male), with a mean age of 48 +/- 6 years. At the time of surgery, 11 patients (38%) had persistent AF. After a mean follow-up of 4.8 +/- 2.4 years, 79% of patients had complete success, and 2 patients (7%) were free of AF with antiarrhythmic drugs. At the end of follow-up, left ventricular fractional shortening was significantly improved (from 31% +/- 10% to 39% +/- 8%, p = 0.002), left atrial size was unchanged, exercise capacity was within normal ranges, and quality of life was comparable with that of healthy controls. Severe complications included reoperations for postoperative bleeding (n = 3), pericardial effusion (n = 1), and mediastinitis (n = 1). In 2 patients, a pacemaker was implanted postoperatively because of sinus node dysfunction., Conclusions: Cox maze III surgery is a highly effective therapy for drug-refractory lone AF, and therefore remains an alternative to transvenous pulmonary vein ablation.

In the treatment of acute myocardial infarction, antithrombin and antiplatelet therapy are indicated according to the current guidelines. When a patient presents with symptoms and signs of acute myocardial infarction, an extensive list of diagnoses should be considered. Because of the nonspecific symptoms of aortic dissection, the disease may be easily misdiagnosed. A high clinical suspicion of aortic dissection is therefore required. Once aortic dissection has been diagnosed, surgical intervention provides the only definitive treatment for these patients, regardless of antithrombin and antiplatelet therapy.

Aim: To explore the effect of He Jie Tang (decoction for medication) on serum levels of T lymphocyte subsets, NK cell activity and cytokines in chronic hepatitis B patients., Methods: Eighty-five patients with chronic hepatitis B were divided randomly into two groups. Fifty patients in group I were treated with He Jie Tang (HJT) and 35 patients in group II were treated with combined medication. The levels of T-lymphocyte subsets (CD(3)(+), CD(4)(+), CD(8)(+)), NK cell activity, cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-8, sIL-2R) were observed before and after the treatment. Another 20 normal persons served as group 3., Results: The level of CD(4)(+) cells and NK cell activity were lower, whereas the level of CD(8)(+) cells in patients was higher than that in normal persons (t = 2.685, 3.172, and 2.754 respectively; P<0.01). The levels of TNF-alpha, IL-8, and sIL-2R in chronic hepatitis B patients were higher than those in normal persons (t = 3.526, 3.170, and 2.876 respectively; P<0.01). After 6 months of treatment, ALT, AST, and TB levels in the two groups were obviously decreased (t = 3.421, 3.106, and 2.857 respectively; P<0.01). The level of CD(4)(+) cells and NK cell activity were increased whereas the level of CD(8)(+) cells decreased (t = 2.179, 2.423, and 2.677 respectively; P<0.05) in group I. The levels of TNF-alpha, IL-8, and sIL-2R in group I were decreased significantly after the treatment (t = 2.611, 2.275, and 2.480 respectively; P<0.05) but had no significant difference in group II after the treatment (t = 1.906, 1.833, and 2.029 respectively; P>0.05). The total effective rate had no significant difference between the two groups (c2 = 2.882, P>0.05) but the markedly effective rate was significantly different between the two groups (c2 = 5.340, P<0.05)., Conclusion: HJT is effective in treating chronic hepatitis B. HJT seems to exert its effect by improving the cellular immune function and decreasing inflammatory cytokines in chronic hepatitis B patients. The function of HJT in protecting liver function in the process of eliminating virus needs to be further studied.

Purpose: To investigate the inhibition of neointimal proliferation induced by a stent-graft loaded with mitoxantrone., Methods: Stent-grafts with and without mitoxantrone loading (150 microg per device) were inserted into the carotid artery of 7 and 6 rabbits, respectively. After an observation period of 28 days, the animals were sacrificed, and a detailed morphological and morphometric workup of the stented vessels was performed., Results: Uncoated stent-grafts induced a thick neointima (median diameter 97+/-99 microm), whereas no neointima formed in mitoxantrone-loaded stent-grafts. However, the loaded devices were not fully covered by an endothelial layer. The underlying media was significantly thinner (31.8+/-5.6 versus 48.6+/-3.3 microm, p=0.002) and showed a widespread loss of smooth muscle cells., Conclusions: Mitoxantrone loading of a stent-graft inhibited the formation of a neointima. However, important regenerative processes were prevented as well, indicating a local overdose. More experiments using lower doses are warranted.

Background: Stents have been introduced clinically to help maintaining the patency of the vascular lumen after balloon angioplasty. To ensure a sufficient lumen of the stented vessel, oversized stents are frequently used. However especially deployment of oversized stents may lead to mechanical injury of the intima and media of the vessel wall. The aim of the study was to characterize the vascular lesions and repair processes within the first 4 weeks after implantation of oversized stents in the rabbit carotid artery and thereby contribute to the understanding of vascular remodeling during stent implantation., Methods: Oversized stents were implanted in the carotid artery of Chinchilla rabbits. Rabbits were sacrificed 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after stent implantation and a detailed histologic and immunohistochemical analysis was performed., Results: The carotid artery was expanded by a factor of 1.3-1.5, leading to a constant dilatation of the vessel. The struts were deeply impressed in the vessel wall, resulting in a disruption of the intima, thrombus formation, media compression and segmental media necrosis. The necrotic media was repopulated by smooth muscle cells by day 7. In contrast to the intima lesions, necrotic areas of the media were not invaded by an inflammatory infiltrate. Formation of neointima, characterized by a confluent layer of endothelial cells and deposition collagenfibers started in close vicinity of the struts., Conclusions: Being part of a high-pressure system, the arterial vessel apparently adapts to constant dilatation. Deployment of oversized stents caused intima disruption, media necrosis of varying degree and constant dilatation of the vessel wall. Necrosis and repopulation of smooth muscle cells of the media took place within the first 4 weeks, leading to the speculation whether the repopulating SMC are more resistant to the constant pressure.

Objective: To discuss the measures of gastric lavage for severe acute organophosphorus pesticides poison (AOPP) patients complicated with respiratory failure and treated with mechanical ventilation., Methods: 92 cases of respiratory failure due to severe AOPP treated with mechanical ventilation were treated for gastric lavage with nasal gastric tube or gastrotomy. Patients of each gastric lavage method were divided into fasting toxicosis group (fasting group) and post-meal toxicosis group (post-meal group)., Results: When treated for lavage with nasal gastric tube, the duration of coma, the time for reaching atropinization and the dosage of atropine needed, the total dosage of atropine used, the mechanical ventilation time, the time for restoring 50% of the normal value of choline esterase, the hospitalization time and charges, the relapse rate, the rate of atropine toxicosis and mortality were respectively: 13 (3 - 24) h, 180 (60 - 290) min, 150 (80 - 310) mg, 300 (90 - 870) mg, 17 (4 - 52) h, (5.0 +/- 2.3) d, 9 (7 - 18) d, (8080 +/- 2570) yuans, 0, 0, and 4.76% in the fasting groups; all the figures were superior to those of the post-meal group with the same treatment: 26 (4 - 55) h, 380 (110 - 690) min, 360 (90 - 730) mg, 3610 (1100 - 9070) mg, 36 (6 - 110) h, (7.8 +/- 3.6) d, 12 (9 - 35) d, (10 720 +/- 3350) yuans, 45%, 30%, and 30.00% (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). There was no obvious difference between the fasting group and the post-meal group in curative effect, complication occurrence rate and mortality except for the charges when treated with gastrotomy. For the post-meal toxicosis patients gastrotomy showed a better effect than the nasal gastric tube and there was no difference in charges., Conclusions: It is suggested that severe AOPP patients complicated with respiratory failure and treated with mechanical ventilation should hare lavage with nasal gastric tube, if they were poisoned in fasting state, but they should be washed through gastrotomy if poisoned after meal.

To overcome the problem of in-stent restenosis, the concept of local delivery of antiproliferative or immunosuppressive drugs has been introduced into interventional cardiology. Local drug delivery can be achieved by drug-eluting stents coated with polymer surfaces used for controlled drug release. However, several polymer coatings have shown an induction of inflammatory response and increased neointima formation. In the present study, the effect of a new inorganic ceramic nanoporous aluminum oxide (Al(2)O(3)) coating on neointima proliferation and its suitability as a carrier for the immunosuppressive drug tacrolimus have been investigated. 316 L stainless steel coronary stents were coated with a 500 nm thin nanoporous aluminum oxide layer. This ceramic nanolayer was used as a carrier for tacrolimus. Bare stents (n = 6), ceramic coated stents (n = 6), and ceramic coated stents loaded with 60 (n = 7) and 120 mug (n = 6) tacrolimus were implanted in the common carotid artery of New Zealand rabbits. The ceramic coating caused no significant reduction of neointimal thickness after 28 days. Loading the ceramic stents with tacrolimus led to a significant reduction of neointima thickness by 52% for 60 mug (P = 0.047) and 56% for 120 mug (P = 0.036) as compared to the bare stents. The ceramic coating alone as well as in combination with tacrolimus led to a reduced infiltration of lymphocytes and macrophages in the intima in response to stent implantation. Ceramic coating of coronary stents with a nanoporous layer of aluminum oxide in combination with tacrolimus resulted in a significant reduction in neointima formation and inflammatory response. The synergistic effects of the ceramic coating and tacrolimus suggest that this new approach may have a high potential to translate into clinical benefit., (Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Background & Objective: The aim of this study was to optimize a dual-antibody assay for sero-diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) by evaluating 4 Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) antigen-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays(ELISAs)., Methods: The serum samples of 57 pretreated NPC patients and 58 apparently healthy adults in Guangzhou were collected. The levels of anti-EBV antibody in the sera were tested by 4 ELISAs, which were developed using fusion proteins of glutathione transferase and EBV specific recombinant antigens, namely, EBNA1-IgA, EBNA1-IgG, Zta-IgA, and Zta-IgG., Results: When evaluated individually, the sensitivity(0.9123) and negative predictive value(0.9074) of EBNA1-IgA were the highest among the 4 ELISAs tested. Zta-IgA test had the highest individual accuracy rate(pi, 0.8870) and Youden index(J, 0.7738). The dual positives for EBNA1-IgA and Zta-IgA were the highest among the 4 dual positives when paired ELISAs were evaluated. Five NPC patients with negative reaction to EBNA1-IgA showed positive reaction of Zta-IgA, and 7 NPC patients with negative reaction to Zta-IgA showed positive reaction of EBNA1-IgA., Conclusion: The EBNA1-IgA assay is more suitable than the other 3 ELISAs(EBNA1-IgG, Zta-IgA, and Zta-IgG) when used individually for serological diagnosis of NPC. When two assays are combined, EBNA1-IgA and Zta-IgA have complementary effect on serological diagnosis for NPC and is thus an optimal combination of serum antibody assays.

We assessed 5 EBV specific assays for their capacity to effect serologic diagnosis of suspected NPC. The assays were the immunofluorescent assays, VCA IgA and EA IgA, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays specific for EBNA 1 IgA or zta IgG and an EBV DNA assay. Serum samples were taken from 218 symptomatic NPC patients presenting consecutively at a public hospital in Hong Kong, 51 of whom were subsequently diagnosed as having NPC; 4 had EBV-associated lung cancer with similar serology as NPC. The remaining patients included 23 who had other cancers and 140 who had other diseases. Objectives of serodiagnosis under such clinical settings, therefore, are to both exclude and predict a diagnosis of NPC. None of the assays individually can meet both requirements adequately, however. The difficulty was best overcome by combining EBNA 1 IgA and zta IgG. It was shown that 68.3% of the patients gave a confirmed test results, negative or positive, by both tests. A confirmed negative result was associated with a negative predictive value of 99.1%, providing a clear indication to exclude a diagnosis of NPC; a confirmed positive result was associated with a positive predictive value of 86.8%, providing a clear indication to proceed with diagnostic work-up of NPC. The remaining patients gave equivocal test results, being positive for one or the other test, which were associated with a positive predictive value of 43.3% and 24.2%, respectively., (Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Objective: To evaluate clinical application of improved percutaneous tracheostomy with dilatational technique., Methods: In 55 patients an improved percutaneous tracheostomy was used, and in another 52 patients an old technique of percutaneous tracheostomy was used., Results: The cost of the improved percutaneous tracheostomy was only (216.0+/-4.4) yuan, operation time was (5.0+/-3.5) minutes, while the cost of the old method was (3 011.0+/-5.3) yuan, and operation time was (10.0+/-6.9) minutes. The difference between them was significant (t=23.60, 4.76, both P<0.001), but there were no differences in the time of bleeding and healing (both P>0.05)., Conclusion: The improved percutaneous tracheostomy was more expeditious, costless, better healing, scar smaller. Therefore, it is useful in emergency care, and it can take the place of classical tracheostomy.

Immunity to hepatitis B has been successfully transferred by bone marrow transplantation, but has also occurred after liver transplantation (LTx). This study was designed to analyse the influence of alloreactivity and immunosuppression, on the efficacy of adoptive immune transfer to hepatitis B by liver transplantation. Orthotopic LTx (n = 34) were performed in three rat strain combinations representing different genetic constellations. Donors had been vaccinated twice with recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen while recipients were unimmunized. Half of the allogeneic recipients were immunosuppressed with cyclosporin A. All animals were monitored weekly for the presence of anti-hepatitis B surface antibodies (anti-HBs). Effective anti-HBs titres were detected in 85% (29/34) of liver recipients and lasted from 2 to 10 weeks. Donor titre above >15 000 mIU/mL ensured a 100% seroconversion rate in the recipients. The maximal anti-HBs titre in recipients represented 0.06% approximately 0.76% of the donor titre. Rejection reduced the adoptive immune transfer, which was protected by immunosuppression. These observations suggest that transfer of functionally active donor lymphocytes, deriving from the graft, contributed to the donor-derived immune response in the recipient. Further studies to augment the donor-derived immune response are warranted to ensure a therapeutic effect for the recipient at risk of reinfection.

Rats receiving either kidney or liver grafts were vaccinated with recombinant hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine either 1 or 10 weeks post-transplantation to explore the nonspecific immunosuppressive effect of transplantation surgery on antibody development. Response rate and geometric mean titer of the anti-HBs antibody were significantly lower in organ-transplanted animals undergoing early vaccination compared to unoperated control animals. Both parameters were affected when vaccination was performed early after kidney transplantation, but also in case of late vaccination in liver graft recipients. The nonspecific suppressive effect of transplantation surgery on the humoral immune response was related to the time point of vaccination after surgery and the extent of the surgical intervention and lasted longer than previously reported., (Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel)

Orthotopic renal transplantation in the rat is a widely used model in immunology and transplantation-related research. Although numerous modifications of the surgical technique of ureteric reconstruction were evaluated, ureter complications following this reconstruction still occurred frequently. Instead of dividing the ureter in the middle between kidney and bladder (method 1), the anastomosis was performed close to the renal pelvis after cutting the ureter obliquely (method 2), which enlarged the diameter of the ureteral anastomosis 2-fold. The incidence of stenosis of ureteric anastomosis was 12.5% (3/24) using method 1, whereas this complication was avoided completely (0/45) using method 2. Furthermore, the risk of injury to the ureter was reduced, as isolation of the ureter was limited. These modifications improved the last delicate step in the procedure of rat kidney transplantation., (Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

The photo-catalytic degradation pathway and degradation products of methylene blue, rhodamine B, methyl orange, and malachite green in aqueous TiO2 suspension irradiated by high pressure mercury lamp by means of UV-visible absorption spectra and ion chromatography were investigated. The photo-catalysis degradation of dye solutions with charges was greatly effected by pH value owing to the electrostatic model. The photo-degradation rate of dyes anion increased with the decrease of pH value, in contrast, the photo-degradation rate of dyes cation increased with the increase of pH value. And the absorption peaks diminished with a blue shift. After illuminated for 30 minutes, a part of dye chemicals were completely mineralized and transferred into inorganic species including chloride ion, ammonium ion, nitrate ion, sulfate ion. And the addition of 100 mmol/L H2O2 promoted the formation of inorganic species. In this study, the quantity of ammonium ion was much more than that of nitrate ion. That indicated the formation of nitrate is from ammonium. The purification rate of COD in four kinds of dye solution was 71.7%-88.7%. The decrease of COD of dyes solution implies the feasibility of the environmental application of photo-catalyzed process.

Based on the notion that regions of structural genes which encode critical domains of the corresponding proteins are highly conserved among closely related species, oligonucleotide primers were designed and used to amplify the alpha-globin sequence(s) of the Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat. Data of these amplified sequence constructs showed that two new rat alpha-globin specific sequences have been identified. Southern hybridization confirmed the presence of these sequences in the rat genome.

Sixty-five patients in Xinjiang with syndrome of endemic arsenism and fluorosis (SEAF) were investigated clinically from March 1982 to August 1989. SEAF is a kind of chronic syndrome resulting from the combined, harmful effects of two trace elements, arsenic and fluorine. Peripheral neuritis and cardiovascular changes were observed in this syndrome more often than in simple arsenism or simple fluorosis. The excessive quantities of these two trace elements in blood might have a synergic, harmful effect on the nervous and circulatory systems. No definite conclusion could be reached with regard to the morbidity of skin and visceral tumors in this series. The incidence of associated skin cancer was found to be 7.7% and an associated Grade II squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus was encountered in one patient.

We had reported that Pollen Typhae, a Chinese traditional herbal medicine could reduce atherosclerotic plaque formation in experimental animals. Fraction IV isolated from Pollen Typhae had the ability to raise tPA and PGI2 productions by cultured porcine aortic endothelial cells (EC). In this paper we reported that F.IV was divided chemically into four subfractions named SubF.1-4 among them SubF.2-2 was further separated from SubF.2, and SubF.4-1 from SubF.4. The six subfractions were tested for their effects on the productions of tPA (125I-fibrin plate method) and PGI2(RIA) by porcine endothelial cells. The results showed that SubF.3 could enhance tPA activity and SubF.2-2 could increase PGI2 level. With Chrono-Log 500 Lumi-Aggregometer, SubF.1,2-2 and 3 were found to be able to inhibit platelet aggregation and release reaction. These data indicated that the mechanisms of Pollen Typhae in its antiatherosclerotic effects were multiple which resulted from various biologic effects exerted by various components of this drug. Chemical analyses were performed and their structures were identified, demonstrating that SubF.2-2 was a flavonoid, while SubF.3 was a group of flavonoids, implying there are some antiatherogenic components in flavonoids.