Interferon-gamma-inducing factor gene transfection into Lewis lung carcinoma cells reduces tumorigenicity in vivo

The operative mortality and morbidity in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remain high. The low ejection fraction is the major risk factor for operative mortality. However, ejection fraction (EF) alone may not necessarily be an accurate predictor of operative mortality. We studied the correlation between indices of left ventricular volume and operative mortality. One thousand patients undergoing isolated coronary bypass operations were divided into three groups according to their preoperative ejection fraction. Fifty patients (group I) had severe left ventricular dysfunction (EF < or = 0.3), 56 patients (group II) had moderately left ventricular dysfunction (0.3 < EF < or = 0.4) and 894 patients (group III) had good left ventricular function (EF > 0.4). We analyzed the relationship between hospital mortality and left ventricular volume in 106 patients with an EF < or = 0.4. RESULTS: Cardiac index was not significantly different among the three groups. The left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and mean pulmonary artery pressure in groups I an II were higher than those in group III. The left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) was 146 +/- 44 ml/m2 in Group I, 112 +/- 31 ml/m2 in Group II and 82 + 30 ml/m2 in Group III, respectively (Group I versus II, p < 0.05, Group I and II versus III, p < 0.01). The left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) was 111 +/- 38 ml/m2 in Group I, 72 +/- 21 ml/m2 in Group II and 30 +/- 14 ml/m2 in Group III, respectively (Group I versus II, p < 0.05, Group I and II versus III, p < 0.01). The LVEDV and LVESV were higher in Group I than in Group II and both in Groups I and II were higher than in Group III. The hospital mortality of any cause before discharge was 8.0% (4/50) in Group I, 3.6% (2/56) in Group II, and 2.0% (18/894) in Group III. The mortality in Group I was higher than that in Group III, but the mortality between Groups I and II was not different. We assessed correlations between large left ventricle with left ventricular dysfunction and operative mortality in 106 patients with ejection fractions of < or = 0.4. The hospital mortality in patients with both under fraction 0.4 and an LVESV > or = 140 ml/m2 was 50% (4/8). This rate was higher than in patients with an LVESV between 80 and 140 ml/m2 (1.8%, 1/55) (p = 0.0006) and an LVESV less than 80 ml/m2 (2.3%, 1/43), (p = 0.0013). The hospital mortality in patients with an LVEDV > or = 200 ml/m2 was 67% (4/6). It was also higher than that in patients with an LVEDV between 200 and 120 ml/m2 (1.7%, 1/58), (p = 0.0001), and an LVEDV less than 120 ml/m2 (2.4%, 1/42), (p = 0.0004). We conclude that patients with a low ejection fraction and an elevated LVESV or LVEDV are at increased risk for hospital death following CABG.     

Experiences in special training programs in the education of undergraduate nursing students]

As part of our research into understanding drug-metalloelement interactions, we have prepared complexes of Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Mn(II), Fe(II), Fe(III), and Pd(II) with Diclofenac, in order to investigate their anti-inflammatory activity. Their inhibitory effects on rat or mouse paw edema induced by Carrageenan, Con-A, Nystatin, and Baker's yeast were compared with those of Diclofenac. Furthermore, the action of Diclofenac's metalloelement complexes on phagocytosis of yeast by rat peritoneal cells, as well as the capacity of some of the metalloelement complexes to inhibit lipid peroxidation of liver microsomal membranes was also investigated. These complexes exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on Carrageenan-, ConA-, and Nystatin-induced edemas (35-80% inhibition) comparable to the inhibition caused by Diclofenac (61-76% inhibition). Furthermore, complexes with Co(II), Ni(II), Pd(II), and Mn(II) were found to have an anti-inflammatory profile (35-50% inhibition) superior to diclofenac (17% inhibition) when inhibiting inflammations due to Baker's yeast, the mechanism of which involves mainly the activation of lipoxygenase and/or complement system. Complexes of Ni(II) and Pd(II), which showed significant inhibition of induced-edemas in rats, were also tested in mice at lower and higher doses and showed a significant dose-dependent inhibition of edemas in mice. Some of these complexes also interfere with in vitro phagocytosis. The most active anti-inflammatory complexes Co(II), Pd(II), and Ni(II), also offered significant protection against lipid peroxidation in vitro, acting as antioxidant compounds, properties that are not demonstrated by Diclofenac. Finally, it is noted that almost all metalloelement complexes of Diclofenac showed high anti-inflammatory activity at molecular concentrations much lower than that of Diclofenac. From the present study it is suggested that the anti-inflammatory activity of Diclofenac is enhanced by the formation of coordination complexes with transition metalloelements.     

Group III human metabotropic glutamate receptors 4, 7 and 8: molecular cloning, functional expression, and comparison of pharmacological properties in RGT cells

Cloning and expression in a stable mammalian cell line co-transfected with a glutamate transporter (RGT cells) were used as tools for studying the functions and pharmacological properties of group III metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). Complementary DNAs (cDNAs) encoding the human mGluR4, human mGluR7, and human mGluR8 were isolated from human cerebellum, fetal brain or retinal cDNA libraries. The human mGluR4, mGluR7 and mGluR8 receptors were 912, 915 and 908 amino acid residues long and share 67-70% amino acid similarity with each other and 42-45% similarity with the members of mGluR subgroups I and II. The human mGluR4 and mGluR7 had amino acid identity of 96% and 99.5% with rat mGluR4 and 7, respectively, whereas the human mGluR8 has 98.8% amino acid identity with the mouse mGluR8. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences in the coding region of human mGluR4 and mGluR7 were found to be identical to the previously published sequences by Flor et al. and Makoff et al. Following stable expression in RGT cells, highly significant inhibitions of forskolin stimulation of cAMP production by group III agonists were found for each receptor. The relative potencies of the group III agonist L-AP4 varied greatly between the group III clones, being mGluR8>mGluR4 > mGluR7. The reported group II mGluR agonist L-CCG-I was a highly potent mGluR8 agonist (EC50=0.35 microM), with significant agonist activities at both mGluR4 (EC50=3.7 microM) and mGluR7 (EC50=47 microM). The antagonist potency of the purported group III mGluR antagonist MPPG also varied among the receptors being human mGluR8 > mGluR4 = mGluR7. The expression and second messenger coupling of human group III mGluRs expressed in the RGT cell line are useful to clearly define the subtype selectivities of mGluR ligands.     

Metabolism of N-ethyl-3-piperidyl benzilate in rats

The metabolic fate of N-ethyl-3-piperidyl benzilate (I) and its potential metabolites 3-piperidyl benzilate (II), N-ethyl-3-hydroxypiperidine (III), and 3-hydroxypiperidine (IV) was studied. Incubation of I with rat liver homogenates resulted in the formation of II and III. Only a trace of unchanged drug appeared in urine after intraperitoneal injection of I. Approximately 9% of the injected dose of I was excreted in urine as III and 2% in the form of metabolites that produced III after acid hydrolysis. After intraperitoneal injection of II in rats, 18% of the dose was excreted in urine as IV. Approximately 26% of the injected dose of III was present in urine as the unchanged drug, and 63% of the dose was excreted in the urine in the form of conjugates that produced III on acid hydrolysis. Urine of rats injected with IV contained approximately 50% of the injected dose as the unchanged drug and 50% of the dose in the form of a conjugate that produced IV on acid hydrolysis. The identity of the metabolites in extracts from urine was established by GLC-mass spectrometry. It is concluded that hydrolysis was one metabolic pathway for I and II. The major routes of elimination of these compounds are not yet known and may include excretion in feces or metabolic transformations resulting in the degradation of the piperidine ring.     

An evaluation of a new lactic acid polymer drug delivery system: a preliminary report

This paper reports the effects of Tripterygium Wilfordii (TW) on adrenal cortex in rats with adjuvant arthritis. Forty rats were divided into 5 groups. Adjuvant arthritis (AA) models were made with complete freund's adjuvant (CFA) in groups I-IV. Each of which was treated with sodium carboxyl methyl cellulose, TW, prednisone and cyclophosphamide respectively. The untreated rats allocated to group V served as normal controls. The swelling of AA markedly subsided in group II, III and IV as compared with group I (P < 0.01), whereas no significant differences were noted among groups II, III and IV (P > 0.05). The obviously increased plasma corticosterone levels and decreased adrenal ascorbic acid levels were observed in group II, whereas decreased plasma corticosterone levels and increased adrenal ascorbic acid levels were noted in group III. There was a striking contrast between groups II and III. The morphological changes of adrenal glands under light microscope revealed hypertrophic adrenal cortices in group II, and atrophic adrenal cortices in group III. The above findings suggest that the effect of promoting production of corticosteroids may be one of the mechanism by which TW can effectively treating autoimmune diseases.     

High-risk mitral valve replacement in severe pulmonary hypertension--30 years experience

OBJECTIVE: In the past 30 years, 2316 patients underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR) at our institution; 382 of them had severe pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) > 50 mmHg; pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), 690 +/- 46 dyn/s per m2). We reviewed our early and late results in this high-risk subgroup. METHODS: We used 336 mechanical and 46 biological devices for MVR. The follow-up was 95%, with an observation period of 3208 patient-years and a mean of 8.4 +/- 0.2 years per patient. The overall early mortality rate was 10.5% (n = 40) and stayed at about the same level over the years, although patients characteristics have changed to much older patients and more reoperations. To clarify this fact we divided our data in results according to the decades in which the operations were carried out. The clinical preoperative status and results were as follows (*P < 0.05; **P < 0.01 compared with previous decade). In the decades between 1963 and 1973 (I), 1974 and 1983 (11) and 1984 and 1993 (III) we operated on n = 95 (I), n = 185 (II), and n = 102 (III) patients with a mean age of 43 +/- 1 (I), 50 +/- 1** (II), and 58 +/- 1** (III) years. The incidence of reoperations among these patients was 3.2 (I), 4.9 (II), and 22.6%** (III). The early mortalities were 13.7 (I), 8.6* (II) and 10.8% (III); late mortalities lowered from 5.77 (I), over 4.95 (II), and up to 3.39%** (III) patients/year. The mean functional status according to New York Heart Association (NYHA) class improved from preoperatively 3.0 +/- 0.1 (I), 3.2 +/- 0.1 (II) and 3.3 +/- 0.1 (III) to 2.4 +/- 0.2 (I), 2.4 +/- 0.1 (II) and 2.3 +/- 0.1 (III) postoperatively. RESULTS: Compared with routine elective MVR with a mortality rate of 3.6% (P < 0.01), early mortality is high. But once the patient survives the perioperative course, late results show no difference compared with patients without pulmonary hypertension. The functional results as well are not significantly different. In spite of on average 15 years older multimorbid patients with therefore higher complication rates, early results improved slightly, which could be explained by better operative techniques, perioperative treatment and nursing (online monitoring with immediate therapeutic substitution). Surprisingly the increased number of reoperations had no negative impact on patients' outcomes. CONCLUSION: According to our results, we recommend MVR in severe pulmonary hypertension even in the elderly, with a high but acceptable risk and good long-term results.     

A comparison of two methods for indexing and retrieval from a full-text medical database

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of endotoxin on human in vitro fertilization and embryo transfers (IVF-ET) and to evaluate a quality control system for a culture medium using endotoxin assays. Before the final water purification (in an ultra-pure water system with a depyrogen filter) of the medium, the sources of water were pre-purified as follows; (I) distillation-->deionization x 2, (II) distillation-->ultra-pure water system or (III) reverse osmosis system. The limulus amebocyte lysate gelation tests (sensitivities of 0.03 and 0.25EU/ml) were used to detect endotoxin in the medium and in pre-purified water (pre-water). No pregnancies occurred in the endotoxin-positive medium (endotoxin > or = 0.03EU/ml). The endotoxin-negative medium resulted in a 33.3% pregnancy rate and 13.4% implantation rate. No statistical differences in the implantation rate were found among these methods of pre-purification (I: 12.5%, II: 13.4% and III: 20.0%). Endotoxin was detected in all the pre-water between 0.25 and 4.0EU/ml. The clinical pregnancy rate (36.6%) and the implantation rate (16.9%) in pre-water of endotoxin < 0.25EU/ml were significantly higher than those (10.5% and 5.5%) in pre-water of endotoxin > or = 0.25EU/ml (p < 0.05). We confirmed that a very low concentration of endotoxin disturbed a human embryo implantation. Endotoxin assays, not only in the media, but also in pre-water before final purification are useful as a quality control for the IVF-ET program.     

Efficacy of combination chemotherapy with miconazole and G-CSF in deep mycosis accompanying hematological diseases

In order to examine the efficacy of the combination chemotherapy with miconazole and G-CSF, patients with deep mycosis and suspected deep mycosis were divided into 3 groups. Group I: miconazole and G-CSF were administered simultaneously. Group II: miconazole was administered later during G-CSF administration. Group III: only miconazole was administered. Of a total of 117 cases 105 cases were analyzed including group I 37 cases, group II 39 cases and group III 29 cases, excluding 12 dropout and inadequate cases. Of the 105 cases, deep mycosis were 31 and suspected deep mycosis were 74, and underlying diseases were hematological malignancies such as leukemias. Efficacy judged mainly by the change of fever was 62.2% (23/37) in group I, 43.6% (17/39) in group II, and 41.4% (12/29) in group III, respectively. Efficacy was better in the patients whose neutrophil counts increased from less than 500/microliters to more than 500/microliters (group I 75.0%, group II 72.7%) than in the patients whose neutrophil counts were less than 500/microliters throughout the time of miconazole administration (group I 33.3%, group II 33.3%). Adverse effects were minimal in 3 groups (group I 15.4%, group II 17.4%, group III 15.6%). It is concluded that the combination with miconazole and G-CSF is effective in the treatment of deep fungal infections.     

Evaluation of highly damaged renal function following extracorporeal circulation--usefulness of alpha 1-microglobulin index

The patients with highly damaged renal functions following extracorporeal circulation (ECC) were reviewed. Markers such as serum and urine creatinine (SCr, UCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), alpha 1-microglobulin in urine (as a marker of renal tubular function, abbreviated as U alpha 1-m), microalbumin in urine (as a marker of renal glomerular function, abbreviated as UA1b) were measured in each cases. Twenty patients were selected with the maximum value of U alpha 1-mover 60 micrograms/dl during or after ECC. The patients were classified into three groups according to preoperative value of alpha 1-m index (alpha 1-m index (I) = U alpha 1-m/UCr x 100 mg/g Cr), and Albumin index (Albumin index (I) = UA1b/UCr x 100 mg/g Cr). Group I (n = 13); alpha 1-m I > 10 and, Alb I > or = 50 (abnormal value of tubular and glomerular function), Group II (n = 3); alpha 1-m I < or = 10, Alb I > or = 50 (abnormal value of glomerular function), Group III (n = 4); alpha 1-m I < or = 10, Alb I < 50 (normal value of tubular and glomerular function). Six patients in Group I required postoperative hemodialysis (HD) and one patient in Group II. No one required HD in Group III. These facts suggest that preoperative damage of tubular and glomerular functions may become prolonged or irreversible damages may occur after operation. HD is required frequently in patients with alpha 1-m I level over 500 mg/g Cr, especially continuous HD may be needed in patient with alpha 1-m I level over 1000 mg/g Cr.     

Value of dobutamine echocardiography in the detection of coronary disease in heart transplant patient. Groupe de Recherche VACOMED]

The value of Dobutamine stress echocardiography in the detection of coronary artery disease in heart transplant patients was studied in 64 patients at control coronary angiography 39 +/- 14 months after transplantation. Dobutamine was infused at progressively increasing doses (5 to 40 micrograms/kg/min) at 5 minute intervals, in order to reach 85% of the theoretical maximal heart rate or an ischaemic event. Echocardiography was analysed in the 4 standard views which were digitised allowing calculation of a regional wall motion score under basal conditions and at peak dosage in 16 left ventricular segments. Coronary angiography identified three groups: group I: 29 patients with normal coronary arteries; group II: 17 patients with non-significant coronary disease (diffuse or localised stenosis < 50%); group III: 9 patients with significant (> 50%) coronary disease. Dobutamine stress echocardiography showed regional wall motion abnormalities in 2/29 patients in group I, 13/17 patients in group II and all patients in group III (global sensitivity: 85%; specificity: 97%). The contractility score was significantly higher under basal conditions in group III (1.45 +/- 0.54) than in group I (1) and group II (1.17 +/- 0.23). At peak dose, the contractility score was unchanged in group I and increased significantly (p < 0.01) in the other two groups. The authors conclude that Dobutamine echocardiography is a reliable, non-invasive method of detecting coronary disease in cardiac transplant patients, and is particularly valuable for demonstrating myocardial ischaemia related to coronary lesions judged to be not significant at coronary angiography.     

The hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrodictium occultum has two alpha-like DNA polymerases

We cloned two genes encoding DNA polymerases from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrodictium occultum. The deduced primary structures of the two gene products have several amino acid sequences which are conserved in the alpha-like (family B) DNA polymerases. Both genes were expressed in Escherichia coli, and highly purified gene products, DNA polymerases I and II (pol I and pol II), were biochemically characterized. Both DNA polymerase activities were heat stable, but only pol II was sensitive to aphidicolin. Both pol I and pol II have associated 5'-->3' and 3'-->5' exonuclease activities. In addition, these DNA polymerases have higher affinity to single-primed single-stranded DNA than to activated DNA; even their primer extension abilities by themselves were very weak. A comparison of the complete amino acid sequences of pol I and pol II with two alpha-like DNA polymerases from yeast cells showed that both pol I and pol II were more similar to yeast DNA polymerase III (ypol III) than to yeast DNA polymerase II (ypol II), in particular in the regions from exo II to exo III and from motif A to motif C. However, comparisons region by region of each polymerase showed that pol I was similar to ypol II and pol II was similar to ypol III from motif C to the C terminus. In contrast, pol I and pol II were similar to ypol III and ypol II, respectively, in the region from exo III to motif A. These findings suggest that both enzymes from P. occultum play a role in the replication of the genomic DNA of this organism and, furthermore, that the study of DNA replication in this thermophilic archaeon may lead to an understanding of the prototypical mechanism of eukaryotic DNA replication.     

Structure and specific features of strain hardening upon extension of a hot-rolled nitrogen-bearing austenitic–martensitic 27Kh15AN3MD2 steel

The microstructure and the static tensile stress–strain curve of a hot-rolled nitrogen-bearing austenitic–martensitic corrosion-resistant 27Kh15AN3MD2 steel have been studied. It is found that the curve has three straight line portions with different slopes at strains of 2–4.3% (portion I), 4.3–13.8% (portion II), and 13.8–19.5% (portion III). The intersection of the straight lines in portions I and II corresponds to the onset of the γ → α transformation at a strain of 4.3%. It is shown that strain-hardening coefficient dσ/dε of the steel in portion II is significantly larger than that in portions I and III. Insignificant twinning and fragmentation of martensite crystals are observed after extension by 2%. A 25% strain leads to significant twinning intensity, refinement, and an increase in the martensite content to 90%.     

Neonatal appendectomy impairs mucosal immunity in rabbits

Between January 1988 and December 1991, 159 patients with Stage III/IV (M0) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were randomized to receive standard fraction RT (70 Gy) (group I) or the same RT plus either 6 mg/m2 of cisplatin (CDPP) (group II) or 25 mg/ m2 of carboplatin (CBDCA) both given daily during RT (group III). Patients in groups II and III had significantly higher overall response rates then those in group I (P = 0.011 and P = 0.0025, respectively) with no difference between groups II and III (P = 0.60). They also had significantly longer median survival time (MST) and higher 5-year survival rates than those in group I (MST, 32 months (32%) and 30 months (29%) versus 16 months (15%), respectively; P = 0.011 and P = 0.019, respectively), with no difference between the two RT/CHT groups. Median time to local recurrence (MTLR) and 5-year local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) were significantly higher for both RT/CHT when compared to RT alone (MTLR, not attained yet and 30 months versus 10 months, respectively; 5-year LRFS, 51% and 48% versus 27%, respectively; P = 0.018 and P = 0.040, respectively) with no difference between the two RT/CHT groups. There was no difference between the three treatment groups regarding regional lymph node and distant metastasis control. Apart from acute high grade (> or =3) hematological toxicity that was significantly more frequent in the two RT/CHT groups and no different between the two RT/CHT groups, other acute high grade toxicity was similar between the three treatment groups. Late high grade toxicity was infrequent and similar between the three treatment groups.     

磷酸盐沉淀法除铬热力学研究

除铬是含铬电镀污泥湿法冶金过程重要步骤.针对磷酸盐沉淀法从溶液中净化除铬过程进行热力学分析,绘制了25 ℃时Me-P-H₂O(Me: Cr(III), Zn(II), Cu(II), Fe(II), Fe(III), Ni(II))系组浓度对数-pH图,利用热力学平衡图对磷酸盐沉淀法从含铁等金属元素中净化除铁和磷酸铬碱分解过程进行热力学分析.结果表明,pH值为1.0 ~ 5.0磷酸盐形成由易至难依次为Cr(III)>Fe(III) >Fe(II)>Ni(II)>Cu(II)>Zn(II); 磷酸盐沉淀法难以有效地将Cr(III)与Fe(III)分离,而可分离Cr(III)和Fe(II),且较优pH约为2;整个pH值范围Me-P-H₂O系可以分为难溶磷酸盐稳定区、Me(OH)_n稳定区; 高pH区磷酸盐中的Me转变为稳定的Me(OH)_n,实现磷酸盐碱分解.验证实验表明,加入1.1倍理论量的磷酸钠,控制沉淀pH值为2.0,铬、铁、锌、铜、镍沉淀率分别为94.12 %、5.51 %、0.33 %、0.22 %、0.34 %; 氢氧化钠分解磷酸铬时,磷、铬浸出率分别为90.63 %、5.10 %,实现磷铬有效分离.实验与理论基本相符.      

Chemical constituents from the bark of Hibiscus syriacus L

Seven constituents (I-VII) were isolated from the bark of Hibiscus syriacus and identified as nonanedioic acid (I), suberic acid (II), 1-octarcosanol (III), beta-sitosterol (IV), 1,22-docosanediol (V), betulin (VI) and erythrotriol (VII). VII was obtained from the plant for the first time, I, II, III and VI were isolated from Malvaceae plants for the first time.     

Local treatment of abdominal wound reduces tumor implantation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pneumoperitoneum increases the trocar-site tumor implantation rate using a human colon cancer cell line in a hamster model. The purpose of this study was to determine whether local treatment of trocar sites with potential tumoricidal agents can inhibit tumor implantation after pneumoperitoneum. METHODS: GW-39 human colon cancer cells (0.5 ml of 2.5% v/v; 8.0 x 10(5) cells) were injected throughout the abdomen of 133 Golden Syrian hamsters through a midline incision. The animals were randomized to receive either untreated 5-mm trocars in each abdominal quadrant (group I control, n = 49), trocars dipped in 10% povidone-iodine (group II, n = 53), or trocars coated with 1% silver sulfadiazine (group III, n = 51). The midline wounds were also coated with the respective agents before closing. Pneumoperitoneum was then maintained at 10 mmHg for 10 min, after which the trocar wounds were closed. In group II, the trocar sites were treated with a coat of povidone-iodine after the trocars were withdrawn and before closing. Gross and microscopic tumor implants were analyzed at 7 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: The rate of tumor cell implantation at trocar sites was reduced from 93% (172/184) in the control group to 75% (126/168) and 78% (141/180) in groups II and III, respectively (P < 0.0001). Fewer palpable tumors were detected in groups II and III (40% and 23%, respectively) than in the control group (72%, P < 0.0001). Mean tumor mass in group III (0.4+/-0.1 g), but not in group II (1.0+/-0.2 g), was significantly less than that in the control group (1.3+/-0.1 g, P < 0.01). Overall tumor involvement of the larger midline wound was similar for all groups (I = 80%, II = 79%, III = 71%). However, palpable tumors were identified more frequently in group I (67%) than in groups II and III (43%, P < 0.05; 22%, P < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: Pretreatment of abdominal wounds with povidone-iodine or silver sulfadiazine can reduce tumor implantation after pneumoperitoneum in a hamster model.     

Diagnostic value of pleural adenosine deaminase in tuberculous effusions of immunocompromised hosts

To investigate the diagnostic value of adenosine deaminase (ADA) in immunocompromised hosts with tuberculous pleural effusions, we collected and checked 60 pleural effusion specimens from admitted patients. These patients were divided into three groups: group I (n = 20), immunocompetent hosts with tuberculous pleural effusions; group II (n = 10), immunocompromised hosts with tuberculous pleural effusions; and group III (n = 30), patients with malignant pleural effusions. Using statistical analysis to compare the ADA value in each group, the p value was found to be significant between groups I and II (p < 0.01), groups I and III (p < 0.001) and groups I+II and III (p < 0.001); however, the p value was not significant between groups II and III. If the lowest ADA value for the tuberculous pleural effusion was designed as 80 U/L, the sensitivity/specificity was 1.0/0.90 (group I), 0.40/0.90 (group II), and 0.80/0.90 (group I+II), respectively. We conclude that the diagnostic value of ADA in immunocompromised hosts with tuberculous pleural effusions is not as significant as in immunocompetent hosts.     

Radiotherapy of follicle center lymphoma. Results of a German multicenter and prospective study. Members of the Study Group "NHL-early stages"

PURPOSE: Follicle centre lymphoma grade I, II (REAL) or centroblastic-centrocytic lymphoma (Kiel classification) present a well defined clinical entity from a clinical point of view. These lymphomas are not curable by chemotherapy in early or advanced stages. They are treated by radiation therapy in early stages, but up to now the curative potency of radiotherapy has not been confirmed by prospective clinical trials. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1986 and August 1993 117 adults with follicle centre lymphoma were recruited from 24 institutions to enter the multicentric prospective, not randomised clinical trial. Patients with histologically proven nodal follicle centre lymphoma of stages I, II and limited III were included. They were treated by a standardised radiotherapy regimen, in stage I by extended field and in stages II and III by total nodal irradiation. Dose per fraction was 1.8 to 2.0 Gy, in the abdominal bath 1.5 Gy up to a total dose of 26 Gy in adjuvant situation and 36 Gy to enlarged lymphoma. RESULTS: All patients developed a complete remission at the end of radiotherapy. Median follow-up is 68 months. Overall survival of all patients in 86 +/- 3% at 5 and 8 years. Stage adjusted survival at 5 and 8 years was 89% for stage I, 86% for stage II and 81% for III. Patients in stages I and II < 60 years had survival rates of 94% at 5 and 8 years, patients > 60 years 63% (p < 0.0001). Recurrence free survival of all patients is 70% at 5 and 60 +/- 5% at 8 years. The number of recurrences is high with 29% at 5 and 41% at 8 years. All recurrences were seen within 7 years. The probability of localised nodal in-field recurrences is 11% and 22% at 5 and 8 years, respectively. Adverse prognostic factors were identified by multivariate analysis: age > 60 years, treatment breaks > or = 7 days and dose deviations > 20% from prescribed doses. Acute side effects of extended field irradiation were moderate. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these results radiotherapy is a potentially curative therapeutic approach in stages I, II and limited III of follicle centre lymphoma. The optimal technique is total lymphoid irradiation with doses of 30 Gy in the adjuvant situation and 40 to 44 Gy in enlarged lymphomas. The number of local recurrences leads to the assumption, that the extension of radiotherapy to the total lymphoid system might reduce their frequency.     

Incidence of Toxoplasma and Toxocara antibodies among out-patients in the Ophthalmic Research Institute, Egypt

Infection by Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara canis is getting much important nowadays. Both are soil transmitted infections. The present study was planned to detect the incidence of T. gondii and T. canis antibodies among 100 patients attending the outpatient clinics in Research Institutes of Ophthalmology (RIO), whose urine and stool were free from other parasitic stages. Patients were classified into two groups, group I; (70 ocular cases) and group II, (30 non-occular cases). Control group (group III); 30 healthy persons. Sera from all individuals were subjected to IFAT and IHAT to detect Toxoplasma antibodies and IFAT to detect Toxocara antibodies. By using IFAT for Toxoplasma revealed, 25% as a total incidence, 21.4% in group I, 33.3% in group II and 6.6% in group III. While IHAT revealed 51% as a total incidence, 51.4% in group I, 50% in group II and 23.3% in group III. Among group I, retinochoroiditis cases showed the highest incidence and titre. While hydrocephalic cases showed highest incidence and titre in group II. T. canis antibodies revealed 23% as a total incidence, 14.3% in group I, 43.3% in group II and 5% in group III. Cases presented with retinal detachment showed the highest incidence and titre in group I while in group II hepatomegalic cases gave the highest incidence and titre. Concomitant infection of both Toxoplasma and Toxocara was detected in 8% of positive cases.     

Data base for body surface potential maps of normal populations--normal data base by the Japanese Circulation Society Task Force Committee on Criteria for Body Surface Mapping

Studies were undertaken to evaluate the ability of various quinoneimines to induce micronuclei in bone marrow cells as a measure of their genotoxicity. Accordingly, 2-hydroxy-N-(3,4-dimethyl-5-isoxazolyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone-4-imine (I), its 2-acetyl derivative (II) and 2-[(5-methyl-3-isoxazolyl)amino]-N-(5-methyl-3-isoxazolyl)-1 ,4- naphthoquinone-4-imine (III), as well as two of their precursors, 2-hydroxynaphthoquinone (NQ-2-OH) and 3,4-dimethyl-5-aminoisoxazole (DMAI) were given by intraperitoneal injection at 5, 50, 100 and 200 mg/Kg doses to S.J.L. Swiss mice with 24 h sampling time. Compounds I and II displayed highly significant differences at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg doses (p < 0.01) and their mutagenic dose response curves correlated closely with an inverted U-shaped form whose interpretation is still the subject of controversy. NQ-2-OH only produced a significant increase in micronucleus frequency at 50 mg/kg, whereas no mutagenic activity was found for compound III and DMAI at the doses assayed. At 50 mg/kg the order of relative mutagenic potencies was I > II > NQ-2-OH. Mechanisms advanced to explain loss of drug activity at high doses include capture saturation, enzymatic induction during metabolism and participation of an independent defense system.