Experimental therapy of hepatic fibrosis in schistosomiasis japonica. Ⅱ. Effect of colchicine on hepatic fibrosis.

9 rabbits were infected with 80 cercariae of Schistosoma japonicum. 4 months later,development of pipe-stem fibrosis resembling late human schistosomiasis was observed.Colchicine was then used to treat schistosomal hepatic fibrosis at the dosage of 1 mg     

Identification of protectective antigens of asexual stages of Plasmodium falciparum.

Seven monoclonal antibodies(McAbs)specific for Plasmodium falciparum from human immune seraof three individuals,two adults and one child(six years old),living in a malaria endemic area in Hainanprovince and immune sera of BALB/c mice immunized with the erythrocytic stages of P.falciparumwere used to identify the protective antigens present in the asexual blood stages of falciparum malaria.The McAbs designated 93A3,94B5,92D4 and 93D4 all immunoprecipitated the ~125I-labcled polypepti-des with apparent MWs of 125,115,83,74 and 67 KD.In addition,the 35S-methionine-labeled polype-     

Laboratory rearing of Culex tritaeniorhynchus.

This paper reports the method and experience of the rearing and domesticating ofCulex tritaeniorhynchus. Under the laboratory rearing condition maintained at T. 27-28     

A survey of severe side reactions of pyquiton.

The authors surveyed the occurrence of severe side reactions following mass treat-ment of schistosomiasis with pyquiton from 1978 to 1982. A total of 7, 032 casesreviewed received pyquiton in a total dose of 60 mg/kg given in two days. Severe     

Numeral classification of six species of lung flukes.

Six species of lung flukes (Paragonimus westermani Kerbert, 1878; P. szechuanensisChung & T'sao 1962; P. ohirai Miyazaki, 1939; P. iloktsuensis Chen, 1940; Pagumogo-nimus skrjabini Chen, 1959 and P. macrorchis Chen, 1962) were studied with the clusteranalysis by computer, basing on the seven characters commonly used in classical     

Antigenic analysis of Toxoplasma gondii.

Stain-specific antigens of five strains of Toxoplasma gondii isolated from human and animals inFujian and Guangdong Provinces were analysed by means of Western blot and microscopic agglutination     

Dot-ELISA for serodiagnosis of cysticercosis.

A micro enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,utilizing cysticercus fluid antigen dotted onnitrocellulose paper discs(Dot-Elisa),was estabisshed for rapid serodiagnosis of cysticercosis. At the optimal antigen concentration of 200ug/ml and the optimal peroxidase conjugated antibodytitre 1:200,73 out of 79(92.4％)patients with cysticercosis gave positive reactions(the titre rangedfrom 1:50 to 1:6400).     

Analyses of antigenic properties of three components of Taenia solium cysticercus.

Different components of Taenia solium cysticercus,cyst fluid,surface and somatic components,were prepared to compare their antigenic properties.Separation of these components by SDS-PAGEresulted in distinguishable complex patterns of polypeptides.About 70％ polypeptides in three com-ponents reacted in immunoblots with pooled sera obtained from the cysticercosis patients.Many otherpolypeptides reacted with individual cysticercosis sera in a heterogeneous manner.However,one com-     

Indirect evidence of hormone abuse. Proof of doping?

Besides anabolic steroids, the most common performance-enhancing hormones are erythropoietin (EPO), insulin, GH, and gonadotropins, mostly indistinguishable from endogenous hormones and with very short half-life. This makes virtually impossible to demonstrate their use by measuring their concentration in the blood or urine. A possible approach to the problem may lie in in-direct demonstration through detection of the biological effects of these substances. The finding of an increased hematocrit level is suspicious but not clearly demonstrative of EPO abuse. Very high levels of circulating EPO could be associated with a strong suspicion of doping, when associated to other abnormal parameters, such as Ht, sTFRr, EPO, RDW. The presence of antibodies against the polysaccharide fraction of lateral chains of EPO has been observed only in patients treated with rhEPO. Owing to the pulsatile pattern of GH, particularly during physical exercise, pathologically high values may be found in normal subjects. Therefore, as in the case of EPO, evidence of GH abuse can be gathered only indirectly by detecting the biological effects of its administration. In training subjects GH treatment increased GH, IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and ALS, and decreased IGBP-2. After cessation of treatment IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and ALS approached basal values between 49 and 96 h. Also the bone parameters PICP ICIP, PIUP and osteocalcin increased significantly. Four days after cessation of treatment, levels of PIIIP and ICTP were still abnormally elevated. In conclusion, increases in IGF-I, IGFBP-3, ALS, PIIIP and ICTP are all indicative of recent GH abuse or of acromegaly.     

Effect of cholesterol on the virulence of Entamoeba histolytica.

27 guinea pigs were divided into 6 groups, 5 animals in each of the groups 1-5and 2 animals in group 6. The 1st group was inoculated intracaecally with a strain ofEntamoeba histolytica trophozoites which were cultured in the presence of cholesteroland the 2nd with the same strain cultured in a medium without cholesterol. The 3rd     

Scanning electron microscopy of the larvae of Phlebotomus chinensis.

The pedicle and flagellum of antenna were clearly visible. The pedicle was peach-shaped and slightly flattened, with three finger-like processes arising from the apex.The flagellum was elliptic, having a short apical spine at the tip with a narrow groove