关节镜辅助下尺骨远端大斜形截骨张力带固定治疗尺骨撞击综合征的近期临床疗效观察

目的 研究关节镜辅助下尺骨远端大斜形截骨张力带固定治疗尺骨撞击综合征的近期临床疗效。方法 回顾性分析2016年1月至2022年4月湖北理工学院附属黄石爱康医院骨科28例关节镜辅助下尺骨远端大斜形截骨张力带固定治疗尺骨撞击综合征的患者资料，均为单侧病变。比较术前和末次随访时的VAS评分、改良Mayo腕关节评分、握力及活动度。结果 术后随访时间为10 ～ 24个月，平均17.5个月。伤口均Ⅰ期愈合，截骨端平均骨愈合时间为8.5周。末次随访时VAS评分、改良Mayo腕关节评分、活动度及握力较术前明显改善，差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 关节镜辅助下尺骨远端大斜形截骨张力带固定治疗尺骨撞击综合征的近期临床疗效满意。     

尺骨鹰嘴截骨入路“Y”形锁定钢板内固定治疗肱骨髁间骨折

目的　探讨尺骨鹰嘴截骨入路“Y”形锁定钢板内固定治疗肱骨髁间骨折的手术方法及临床疗效。 方法　对2009年12月至2011年12月30例的成年人“C”型肱骨髁间骨折,均选用尺骨鹰嘴截骨入路、“Y”形锁定钢板内固定治疗。其中男性18例,女性12例,年龄18~50岁,平均（38.6±7.8）岁。采用Mayo标准进行肘关节功能疗效评定。 结果　对本组患者随访12~18个月,全部获得随访,肱骨髁间骨折及尺骨鹰嘴截骨处均骨性愈合,骨折愈合平均时间为(3.0±0.6)月,根据Mayo评分为50~100分,平均87分,优24例,良1例,可3例,差2例,优良率为83.3%。 结论　尺骨鹰嘴截骨入路“Y”形锁定钢板内固定治疗肱骨髁间骨折具有暴露术野清晰,内固定牢靠,可早期进行肘关节功能锻炼等优点,临床疗效满意。     

改良尺骨鹰嘴截骨治疗复杂肱骨远端骨折的疗效观察

目的 探讨和总结改良尺骨鹰嘴截骨法治疗复杂肱骨远端骨折的疗效和经验。方法 回顾性分析2013年1月～2016年3月在本科行手术治疗的25例复杂肱骨远端骨折病例,其中AO分型C2型7例,C3型18例,均采用改良尺骨鹰嘴截骨法和解剖型锁定钢板90°双平面固定肱骨远端内外侧柱,截骨块利用锁定钢板固定,术后跟踪随访,利用Mayo肘关节功能评分标准对患者术后关节疼痛、运动功能、稳定性以及日常生活4个方面进行评分,以总分≥90分为优,75～89分为良,60～74分为中,60分为差,评定疗效并总结经验。结果 25例患者获得10～18个月(平均12.5个月)的随访,骨折全部愈合,无骨折不愈合、内固定松动断裂、感染等并发症,Mayo评分优8例,良13例,中4例。结论 采用改良尺骨鹰嘴截骨和双钢板固定治疗复杂肱骨远端骨折,操作简单、暴露充分、固定可靠、疗效满意。     

缝线Nice结张力带结合拉力螺钉固定简单横形尺骨鹰嘴骨折疗效分析

目的 探讨缝线Nice结张力带结合拉力螺钉固定简单横形尺骨鹰嘴骨折效果。 方法 选取2017年1月~2020年2月本院23例简单横行尺骨鹰嘴骨折采用缝线Nice结张力带结合拉力螺钉固定患者,其中Mayo IIA型14例,IIIA型3例,肱骨髁间粉碎骨折行尺骨鹰嘴横形截骨手术6例。记录骨愈合、患肢功能恢复和并发症情况。 结果 患者获12~28个月、平均（17.5±2.7）个月随访,无螺钉断裂和退钉刺激产生明显不适症状,骨折均愈合,愈合时间平均（2.3±0.5）个月。术后3个月和1年,肘关节平均屈伸范围为（103.5±22.0）°和（127.1±34.0）°,平均旋前为（72.2±7.0）°和（80.8±7.5）°,平均旋后为（70.9±6.7）°和（78.2±8.0）°,与术前比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;末次随访Mayo肘关节评分为（90.7±8.3）分,优良率91.30%,内固定取出率为26.1%,其中需要取出率为4.35%。 结论 缝线Nice结张力带结合拉力螺钉固定简单横形尺骨鹰嘴骨折方法简便,关节功能恢复较快、较好,并发症少,内固定取除率较低。     

新型肱骨近端翼式解剖钢板修复肱骨近端骨折:可有效降低肩峰撞击征发生

背景:肱骨近端骨折最佳修复方法目前仍存争议。尽管不同的内固定方式被用于修复肱骨近端骨折,但是所有内固定方法均存在较高的术后并发症,如螺钉切割琥珀螺钉退出、骨不连及肩峰撞击征等。考虑到传统内固定的缺点,作者设计了一种新型肱骨近端翼式解剖钢板用于修复肱骨近端骨折。目的:评估肱骨近端翼式解剖钢板置入内固定修复肱骨近端骨折的临床效果和并发症。方法:回顾性分析2012年9月至2013年9月采用自制新型肱骨近端翼式解剖钢板置入内固定修复肱骨近端骨折患者60例,骨折根据Neer分型:二部分骨折24例,三部分骨折31例,四部分骨折5例。按Constant-Murley评分评定肩关节功能,采用目测类比评分评定患肩疼痛度。结果与结论:60例患者内固定后获得12-24个月随访,均获得骨性愈合,骨折愈合时间12-20周,平均(15.3±2.7)周。末次随访时Constant-Murley评分为45-98分,平均(81.5±14.6)分。肩关节疼痛目测类比评分为0-7分,平均(0.9±0.9)分。60例患者中共有11例(18%)出现并发症,其中3例(5%)发生螺钉穿出肱骨头关节软骨骨面、1例(2%)出现螺钉轻度退出、5例(8%)发生肱骨头内翻成角畸形(其中2例合并有螺钉穿出软骨面)、2例(3%)发生肱骨头坏死、1例(2%)发生肩峰撞击征,1例(2%)发生切口浅表感染。未出现肱骨头坏死、内固定失败等并发症。提示自制新型肱骨近端翼式解剖钢板置入内固定修复肱骨近端骨折,可以取得满意的固定效果,能够有效降低内固定后肩峰撞击征的发生,有利于肩关节功能恢复,是值得推荐的一种内固定物。     

Sauve-Kapandji手术于青壮年桡骨远端陈旧性骨折合并下尺桡关节脱位中的应用

目的探讨Sauve-Kapandji手术治疗青壮年桡骨远端陈旧性骨折合并下尺桡关节脱位的临床疗效。方法选取2008年1月至2014年1月采用Sauve-Kapandji手术治疗的7例桡骨远端陈旧性骨折合并下尺桡关节脱位的青壮年患者,并对其进行随访。观察指标包括腕关节疼痛程度、腕关节活动度、腕关节功能及影像学评价,腕关节功能评定采用Gartland-Werley腕关节功能评分。结果 7例患者均获得随访,随访时间18～70个月,平均(27.5±3.7)个月。术后切口均愈合良好,无感染等并发症。术前腕关节VAS疼痛评分为(4.8±1.7)分,术后末次随访VAS疼痛评分为(2.3±1.1)分,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。腕关节背伸活动度术前为(15.3±2.1)°,术后为(26.9±1.7)°;掌屈活动度术前为(18.5±2.7)°,术后为(45.1±3.2)°;前臂旋前活动度术前为(35.7±2.8)°,术后为(71.3±2.1)°;前臂旋后活动度术前为(16.5±2.5)°,术后为(41.3±3.5)°,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。影像学检查示尺骨远端的正性变异均矫正为无变异,下尺桡关节融合牢固,尺骨远端假关节内无新骨形成。Gartland-Werley腕关节功能评分方面,优3例,良3例,中1例,优良率达85.71%。结论尺骨短缩、下尺桡关节融合术是治疗青壮年桡骨远端陈旧性骨折合并下尺桡关节脱位的一种安全、有效的方法。该手术既保留了腕关节的尺侧支撑,维持了下尺桡关节的稳定,又缓解了腕关节的疼痛并改善了前臂旋转功能。     

经尺骨鹰嘴截骨入路解剖型垂直双钢板治疗老年人肱骨髁间粉碎骨折32例临床分析

目的 探讨经尺骨鹰嘴截骨入路行解剖型垂直双钢板治疗老年肱骨髁间粉碎骨折的临床疗效。方法 回顾性分析2011年5月—2015年5月华北理工大学附属唐山市第二医院创伤二科收治的32例老年肱骨髁间粉碎骨折患者的临床资料。其中男15例,女17例;年龄60～75岁,平均66.5岁。患者均采用经尺骨鹰嘴截骨入路行解剖型垂直双钢板内固定结合自体髂骨植骨治疗。术后观察患者骨折愈合情况,肘关节屈伸活动度,末次随访时采用Mayo肘关节评分(MEPS)标准评定肘关节功能。 结果 32例患者均顺利完成手术,术后随访12~24个月,平均15.5个月。患者骨折愈合时间3～7个月,平均5个月。患者术后均未发生重要神经血管损伤、皮肤坏死、鹰嘴截骨不愈合、内固定失效、骨髓炎等并发症。4例患者术后发生肘关节异位骨化,功能恢复可。末次随访时32患者肘关节屈伸活动度70°～120°,平均为95.0°;肘关节功能优16例,良11例,可5例,优良率84.4%。结论 经尺骨鹰嘴截骨入路可以充分显露肱骨髁间粉碎骨折块及关节面,解剖型垂直双钢板固定牢固可靠,术后可及时行肘关节功能锻炼,减少术后并发症的发生。     

平行钢板技术治疗肱骨远端C型骨折

目的探讨采用经尺骨鹰嘴截骨入路双侧平行钢板固定治疗肱骨远端关节内骨折的方法及疗效。方法对涉及关节内的肱骨远端C型骨折28例行尺骨鹰嘴截骨入路双侧平行钢板固定。结果本组28例获得12~24个月的随访,均获骨性愈合,肘关节功能评定结果：优18例,良5例,可4例,差1例,优良率87.5%。结论肱骨远端关节内骨折采用经尺骨鹰嘴截骨入路能提供良好显露,行双侧平行钢板固定,术后可以早期活动和功能锻炼,大多数患者可获得满意效果。     

上臂前外侧入路双锁定钢板治疗肱骨干骨折骨不连13例临床分析

目的探讨上臂前外侧入路双锁定钢板治疗肱骨干术后骨不连的临床疗效。方法回顾2015年2月至2018年6月在我科行上臂前外侧入路双钢板治疗肱骨干骨折术后骨不连患者并随访获得完整资料的患者13例。其中,男8例,女5例;左侧4例,右侧9例;年龄21～75岁,平均50.2岁;肱骨干上1/3段骨折3例,中1/3段骨折8例,下1/3段骨折2例;10例患者钢板断裂失效,3例钢板完好。增生性骨不连9例,缺血性骨不连3例,萎缩性骨不连1例。记录患者基本信息和随访结果,肩关节Constant-Murley评分、肘关节Mayo评分、患侧上肢DASH评分来评定临床疗效。结果 13例患者随访获得完整随访资料,平均随访10.7个月(9～14个月),所有患者均获得骨性愈合,平均愈合时间6.2个月(4～11个月),1例出现术后一过性桡神经麻痹,该患者术后2个月恢复正常,并发症发生率为7.69%。患者肩关节Constant-Murley评分(术前67.2±5.7、术后末次随访81.2±4.4),肘关节Mayo评分(术前74.2±5.4、术后末次随访80.2±3.2),患侧上肢DASH评分(术前8.9±2.7、术后末次随访7.97±2.3)。该三项评分术后末次随访较术前改善,与术前比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论上臂前外侧双锁定钢板治疗肱骨干骨折骨不连效果满意。     

3D打印辅助胫骨高位开放截骨联合关节镜治疗膝内翻畸形临床疗效分析

目的观察3D打印截骨导板辅助胫骨高位开放式截骨术(OWHTO)联合关节镜清理治疗膝关节内翻畸形的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2017年1月至2018年5月本院骨伤科膝关节内翻畸形患者15例(16膝)。术前利用3D打印截骨导板模拟OWHTO,根据理想的术后下肢力线(WBL),确定截骨部位、合页、高度、宽度、胫骨平台后倾角(PTS)及锁定钢板模型,进行截骨内固定。对术前术后WBL、Lysholm评分、PTS、髌骨高度指数(Caton指数)进行比较。结果随访15~24个月,WBL术前为(19.27±1.55)%,3D打印设计为(61.91±0.24)%,术后WBL恢复到(60.54±0.84)%,术前术后有统计学差异,3D打印设计与术后实际对比无统计学差异;术前术后PTS分别为(10.01±2.89)°,(10.06±0.09)°,无统计学差异;术后1年Lysholm评分(82.31±1.22)分,与术前(34.75±1.87)分比较差异有统计学意义。结论3D打印截骨导板辅助OWHTO,可实现精确截骨,显著改善下肢力线,减少术中透视,节省手术时间,是治疗膝关节内翻畸形安全有效的方法。     

三氧化二砷/锰锌铁氧体复合纳米粒体外治疗食管癌

背景：与传统的热疗方法相比,As₂O₃/Mn_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄复合纳米粒可以同时发挥As₂O₃的细胞毒性作用和磁感应加热的联合定向治疗作用,效果优于单一治疗。 目的：制备As₂O₃/Mn_0.5Zn₀.₅Fe₂O₄复合纳米粒,观察其对食管癌Eca109细胞增殖的抑制作用。 方法：采用浸渍法制备As₂O₃/Mn₀.₅Zn_0.5Fe2O4复合纳米粒,含砷量0.012%,以透射电镜、能谱仪、原子分光光度仪对其进行表征。向两块培养板的食管癌Eca109细胞中分别加入DMEM培养液(阴性对照)、Mn_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄纳米材料、含As₂O₃终浓度5 μmol/L的As₂O₃/Mn_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄复合纳米粒、游离As₂O₃(终浓度5 μmol/L),其中一块培养板进行磁流体热疗,另一块培养板正常培养。 结果与结论：As2O3/Mn_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄复合纳米粒近似球形,As₂O₃成功浸渍在Mn_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄纳米材料表面,砷含量在0.012%-0.066%之间。当As₂O₃浓度为5 μmol/L时,As₂O₃/Mn_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄复合纳米粒组细胞增殖率明显低于阴性对照组和Mn_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄纳米材料组(P < 0.05);而在磁流体热疗中,As₂O₃/Mn_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄复合纳米粒组细胞增殖率明显低于游离As₂O₃组或Mn_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄组(P < 0.05);在凋亡率检测中,As₂O₃/Mn_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄复合纳米粒联合磁流体热疗组细胞凋亡率明显高于Mn_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄纳米材料联合磁流体热疗组或游离As₂O₃组(P < 0.05)。表明As₂O₃/Mn_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄复合纳米粒联合磁流体热疗可显著抑制食管癌细胞增殖。     

Expression of Integrin αvβ3 in Gliomas Correlates with Tumor Grade and Is not Restricted to Tumor Vasculature

In malignant gliomas, the integrin adhesion receptors seem to play a key role for invasive growth and angiogenesis. However, there is still a controversy about the expression and the distribution of α_vβ₃ integrin caused by malignancy. The aim of our study was to assess the extent and pattern of α_vβ₃ integrin expression within primary glioblastomas (GBMs) compared with low-grade gliomas (LGGs). Tumor samples were immunostained for the detection of α_vβ₃ integrin and quantified by an imaging software. The expression of α_vβ₃ was found to be significantly higher in GBMs than in LGGs, whereby focal strong reactivity was restricted to GBMs only. Subsequent analysis revealed that not only endothelial cells but also, to a large extent, glial tumor cells contribute to the overall amount of α_vβ₃ integrin in the tumors. To further analyze the integrin subunits, Western blots from histologic sections were performed, which demonstrated a significant difference in the expression of the β₃ integrin subunit between GBMs and LGGs. The presented data lead to new insights in the pattern of α_vβ₃ integrin in gliomas and are of relevance for the inhibition of α_vβ₃ integrin with specific RGD peptides and interfering drugs to reduce angiogenesis and tumor growth.     

Spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) do not respond to thymus-independent type 2 antigens

Analysis of the immune system of spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) has been limited. Originally grouped with Mus, Acomys has recently been placed closer to Meriones (gerbils). This study compared immunity in Acomys, Mus, and Meriones. Lymphocytes from all rodents examined proliferated in response to mitogen and superantigen stimulation. Only Mus T cells responded to anti-CD3 stimulation. Acomys, like Meriones, and Mus that express xid, did not respond to thymus-independent type 2 antigens. Flow cytometric analyses revealed that T cell-specific MAbs did not bind Acomys or Meriones lymphocytes. The B cell-specific anti-CD45R (B220) MAb detected all rodent B cells and revealed the absence of a CD45R^lo subset in the peritoneal cavity of Acomys and Meriones. Bone marrow from Acomys and Meriones failed to reconstitute B cell function in SCID mice. Thus, in terms of immunity, Acomys appears to be more similar to Meriones than Mus.     

IP3 receptors: some lessons from DT40 cells

Summary:  Inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP₃Rs) are intracellular Ca²⁺ channels that are regulated by IP₃ and Ca²⁺ and are modulated by many additional signals. These properties allow them to initiate and, via Ca²⁺-induced Ca²⁺ release, regeneratively propagate Ca²⁺ signals evoked by receptors that stimulate formation of IP₃. The ubiquitous expression of IP₃R highlights their importance, but it also presents problems when attempting to resolve the behavior of defined IP₃R. DT40 cells are a pre-B-lymphocyte cell line in which high rates of homologous recombination afford unrivalled opportunities to disrupt endogenous genes. DT40-knockout cells with both alleles of each of the three IP₃R genes disrupted provide the only null-background for analysis of homogenous recombinant IP₃R. We review the properties of DT40 cells and consider three areas where they have contributed to understanding IP₃R behavior. Patch-clamp recording from the nuclear envelope and Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores loaded with a low-affinity Ca²⁺ indicator address the mechanisms leading to activation of IP₃R. We show that IP₃ causes intracellular IP₃R to cluster and re-tune their responses to IP₃ and Ca²⁺, better equipping them to mediate regenerative Ca²⁺ signals. Finally, we show that DT40 cells reliably count very few IP₃R into the plasma membrane, where they mediate about half the Ca²⁺ entry evoked by the B-cell antigen receptor.     

氧化铁纳米颗粒引起肝血窦内皮细胞损伤及其机制研究

研究二巯基丁二酸修饰的Fe₃O₄纳米颗粒(DMSA-Fe₃O₄)对人原代肝血窦内皮细胞(HHSECs)的作用及对肝脏的影响。利用透射电镜和纳米颗粒追踪分析仪表征纳米颗粒尺寸和表面性质。采用实时无标记细胞分析技术、流式细胞术、实时荧光定量PCR技术和普鲁士蓝染色法等方法,检测0～200 μg/mL浓度范围内DMSA-Fe₃O₄对HHSECs的作用。将DMSA-Fe₃O₄(剂量为1 mg/kg)通过尾静脉注射到小鼠体内,分析肝脏的损伤情况。细胞实验重复数为3,动物实验每组4只动物。结果表明,HHSECs对DMSA-Fe₃O₄的摄取具有浓度和时间依赖性,细胞活性最低降到对照组的37.3%。DMSA-Fe₃O₄引起细胞ROS升高,是对照组的1.41倍;促进HO-1基因表达升高,是对照组的20.8倍;引起HIF-1α基因表达升高,是对照组的2.01倍;促进VEGF基因的表达升高,是对照组的4.2倍。4次静脉注射DMSA-Fe₃O₄后的第2 d,可观察到小鼠肝脏内皮细胞和库普弗细胞有DMSA-Fe₃O₄蓄积,并伴有肝组织染色变浅、少量肝细胞坏死;第158 d时,肝脏中蓄积的DMSA-Fe₃O₄明显减少,肝脏组织恢复正常形态。以上结果显示,HHSECs可大量摄取氧化铁纳米颗粒,引起细胞活性降低和氧化应激损伤。体内多次静脉注射的DMSA-Fe₃O₄可蓄积在肝脏中,伴有肝损伤。随着时间延长,纳米颗粒从肝脏中排出,肝脏损伤可以恢复。     

Molecular characterization of influenza B viruses circulating in northern Italy during the 2001-2002 epidemic season

During the 2001-2002 influenza season, virological surveillance highlighted the predominant circulation of B viruses (86% of isolates) in Italy, in contrast to many other countries in Europe and North America where AH3N2 viruses were isolated most frequently, and in contrast to the infrequent isolation of B viruses in Italy during the previous two years. Associated with this predominance of influenza B was the re-emergence of B/Victoria/2/87-lineage viruses, closely related to B viruses prevalent during the 1980s, which are distinct antigenically and genetically from circulating B/Sichuan/379/99-like viruses of the B/Yamagata/16/88 lineage, which predominated in most parts of the world during the last 10 years. Ninety-four viruses isolated in two regions of northern Italy were characterized, 50 by direct sequencing of haemagglutinin (HA). Viruses of both Victoria and Yamagata lineages co-circulated throughout the 12 weeks of the influenza season. The HAs of the Yamagata-lineage viruses were heterogeneous and comprised two sublineages, represented by B/Sichuan/379/99 and B/Harbin/7/94, whereas the Victoria-lineage viruses were more homogeneous and closely related to B/Hong Kong/330/01, the current prototype vaccine strain. The antigenic and genetic characteristics of the viruses correlated with certain epidemiological features. In particular, the low age (<14 years) of individuals infected with B/Hong Kong/330/01-like viruses is likely to reflect the greater susceptibility of the youngest cohort, due to lack of previous exposure to Victoria-lineage viruses, and is consistent with the conclusion that vaccination with a B/Sichuan/379/99-like virus would give poor protection against infection with B/Hong Kong/330/01-like (Victoria-lineage) viruses.     

The mechanism of cell-damaging reactive oxygen generation by colloidal fullerenes

Because of the ability to induce cell death in certain conditions, the fullerenes (C₆₀) are potential anticancer and toxic agents. The colloidal suspension of crystalline C₆₀ (nano-C₆₀, nC₆₀) is extremely toxic, but the mechanisms of its cytotoxicity are not completely understood. By combining experimental analysis and mathematical modelling, we investigate the requirements for the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated cytotoxicity of different nC₆₀ suspensions, prepared by solvent exchange method in tetrahydrofuran (THF/nC₆₀) and ethanol (EtOH/nC₆₀), or by extended mixing in water (aqu/nC₆₀). With regard to their capacity to generate ROS and cause mitochondrial depolarization followed by necrotic cell death, the nC₆₀ suspensions are ranked in the following order: THF/nC₆₀>EtOH/nC₆₀>aqu/nC₆₀. Mathematical modelling of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) generation indicates that the ¹O₂-quenching power (THF/nC₆₀nC₆₀nC₆₀) of the solvent intercalated in the fullerene crystals determines their ability to produce ROS and cause cell damage. These data could have important implications for toxicology and biomedical application of colloidal fullerenes.     

Detection and characterization of new influenza B virus variants in 2002

One-hundred five influenza B-positive specimens obtained from southeast Asia in 2002 were categorized on the basis of DNA sequencing of HA1 gene as well as real-time PCR analysis of the NA gene. Phylogenetic analysis of the HA1 gene sequences showed that the majority of the viruses (96.2%) belonged to the B/Victoria/2/87 lineage, while a smaller percentage of the viruses (3.8%) belonged to the B/Yamagata/16/88 lineage. The B/Yamagata/16/88 viruses displayed significant antigenic drift in the deduced amino acid sequences of the HA1 protein, and the B/Victoria/2/87-like viruses consisted of B/Hong Kong/1351/02-like (72.3%) and B/Hong Kong/330/01-like (27.7%) viruses. The B/Hong Kong/1351/02-like viruses were reassortants with the HA gene belonging to the B/Victoria/2/87 lineage and the NA gene belonging to the B/Yamagata/16/88 lineage, whereas both the HA and NA genes of B/Hong Kong/330/01 virus belonged to the B/Victoria/2/87 lineage. In this study, however, all the B/Hong Kong/330/01-like isolates exhibited the B/Yamagata/16/88-like NA gene, which likely resulted from reassortment of B/Hong Kong/330/01 and B/Hong Kong/1351/02 viruses during coinfection. Additional molecular characterization of the six internal genes showed that the M, NS, PA, and PB2 genes of the new variants were B/Hong Kong/1351/02 in origin, whereas the NP and PA genes retained the B/Hong Kong/330/01 origin. Interestingly, these new variants all appeared late in the year 2002. These results support the notion that influenza B viruses continued to evolve through antigenic drift and shift.     

Generation of temperature profiles for elements of the human body

Calculation of steady-state temperature distributions throughout cylindrical elements of the human body result in sets of data pairs (u_i, r_i), i = 1,2, …, n, where u_i is the tissue temperature at radial distance r_i. A novel empirical relation of the form u = a(b − r)^c is proposed and a non-linear least squares algorithm is used to fit a curve of this form to sets of experimental data and hence generate temperature profiles. The parameter a has a value which is close to that of the core temperature of the element, the parameter b has a value which is very slightly larger than the normalised radius of the element (i.e. unity), and the parameter c lies within the range −1 < c < 1.     

Relationships between Responsiveness of the Bronchi to Acetylcholine and Cyclic AMP Response of Lymphocytes to Beta1- and Beta2-Adrenergic Receptor Stimulation in Patients with Asthma

Decreased response of beta-adrenergic receptor has been considered to he one of the causes of increased responsiveness of the bronchi in asthma. Since beta-adrenergic receptor has two subtypes, beta₁ and beta₂, and the bronchodilating effect of beta stimulants is mediated by beta₂-receptor, responsiveness of the bronchi is expected to correlate to the cyclic AMP response of lymphocytes to a beta₂-stimulant. Responsiveness of the bronchi was expressed as respiratory threshold to acetylcholine (RT-Ach), which was the minimal concentration of acetylcholine solution to cause an initial decrease of FEV₁ of more than 20% of the baseline value. Beta₁ and heta₂-responses were expressed as the increments of cyclic AMP content of 10⁶ lymphocytes incubated with norepinephrine (beta₁-stimulant) and salbutamol (beta₂-stimulant).
RT-Ach showed a significant correlation with the beta₂-cyclic AMP response of lymphocytes, but not with the beta₁ -response among patients with asthma. Sixteen symptomatic patients on continuous beta-stimulants showed lower RT-Ach value and diminished beta₂-receptor activity of lymphocytes compared with 14 patients in remission. These results suggest that selective beta₂-adrenergic blockade may he one of the causes of bronchial hypersensitivity in asthma, though it should be noted that in this study beta-adrenergic responses were examined in lymphocytes and were compared with the responsiveneness of the bronchi. Possible beta-receptor subsensitivity induced by administration of beta-stimulants is discussed.