Distribution of HLA antigens in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Divergent observations suggest that genetic factors contribute to the susceptibility to or clinical course of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. To determine whether there is an association between the major histocompatibility (HLA) system and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the distribution of 35 antigens of HLA loci A and B was determined among 33 white patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and 329 healthy white control subjects. Although certain antigens tended to be more prevalent among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis compared with control subjects, there were no significant differences in the phenotype frequencies of the HLA-A and HLA-B antigens between these 2 groups. Thus, although subtle associations may exist between the HLA loci and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, these results indicate that antigens of the HLA-A and HLA-B loci are not linked with major risk factors in this disease.     

Immunity to Trichinella spiralis. VII. Resistance stimulated by the parenteral stages of the infection

In three experiments mice were given three intravenous injections of Trichinella spiralis newborn larvae produced in vitro. Following a challenge infection of newborn larvae the mice were shown to be on the average 85% resistant i.e., only 15% of the challenge larvae developed to encysted muscle stage larvae in these mice; when the challenge consisted of normal muscle larvae administered per os, the mice were 51% resistant. Neither the number nor longevity of adult worms in the intestines was affected by this immunization procedure.     

Intergeneric transfer of genes involved in the Rhizobium-legume symbiosis

Genes that seem to be involved in the initial steps of infection of a legume by Rhizobium have been transferred, by transformation, to mutant strains of Azotobacter vinelandii that are unable to fix nitrogen. These genes code for a surface antigen that binds specifically to a protein from the host plant.     

可回收式锥形肝静脉支架的动物实验研究

【摘要】 目的 通过动物实验评估可回收式锥形肝静脉支架的可行性、安全性及稳定性,探讨支架回收最佳时间。方法 健康家猪24头,随机分为4组,每组6头。全身麻醉下经右颈内静脉入路接受肝中静脉可回收式锥形支架置入术,术后3、7、11、15 d分别接受支架回收。采用t检验对比各组支架置入后、回收前所测得的支架内血流压力变化差异。采集支架中段相邻血管组织标本作病理学检查,测量计算新生血管内膜厚度,单因素方差分析对比各组间新生内膜厚度差异。结果 24枚支架均成功置入,技术成功率100%;支架回收技术成功率为50%（12/24）。肝中静脉内压力测量显示,3 d组支架置入后与回收前比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;7 d组、11 d组、15 d组支架置入后与回收前比较,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。各组间支架中段相邻组织新生内膜平均厚度两两比较,差异均有显著统计学意义（F＝338.29,P＜0.001）。结论 可回收式锥形支架置入家猪肝静脉安全、可行,其最佳安全回收时间为3 d,最长不宜超过7 d。

     

Nipple aspirate fluid: a promising non-invasive method to identify cellular markers of breast cancer risk

To evaluate the feasibility of nipple aspiration and to identify intermediate markers of breast cancer risk, nipple aspirate fluid (NAF) was collected from 177 subjects using a modified breast pump. The first 33 subjects demonstrated that we could obtain NAF quickly, reliably and repeatedly. Specimens from the remaining 144 subjects were collected to evaluate promising cellular biomarkers. NAF was obtained in 167 out of 177 (94%) subjects overall and in 99% of the 144 most recent subjects. Sufficient NAF was obtained to evaluate cytology in 160 out of 167 (96%) cases and specimens were sufficiently cellular to analyse DNA markers in 53% of cases. Among the last 144 subjects, menopausal status did not influence the ability to obtain NAF. NAF cytology correlated with increased breast cancer risk (P = 0.002). Using computerized image analysis of NAF epithelial cells, DNA index (P = 0.0002), percentage of cells in G2M (P = 0.05) and percentage of cells with hypertetraploidy (P = 0.002) increased as cytology became more abnormal. Our data indicate that NAF can be obtained in essentially all eligible subjects; that breast epithelial cells are evaluable in > 95% of NAF samples for cytology and in over half of NAF samples for DNA index (ploidy) and cell cycle analysis; and that abnormal NAF cytology correlates with increased breast cancer risk. This suggests that biomarkers identified in nipple aspirate fluid may prove useful either as an adjunct to currently accepted breast cancer screening methods, or to evaluate response to a chemopreventive agent.