Normal and stenotic renal arteries: experimental balloon-expandable intraluminal stenting

Elastic recoil of the vessel wall is a common cause of failure of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in renal arteries. To oppose such recoil, balloon-expandable metal stents were implanted in artificially stenotic renal arteries in pigs and normal renal arteries in dogs and pigs. The stents were then examined angiographically and histologically at regular intervals. All stents were completely covered with endothelialized neointima in 3 weeks. There was no difference in intimal thickness between the stenotic and nonstenotic renal arteries. A large stent diameter and a large open or nonmetal surface may cause less intimal hyperplasia, but nonturbulent, fast arterial flow is probably the most important factor in ensuring long-term patency of the vessel.     

双嘧达莫在汞电极上的电化学行为和吸附性质

在NaOH底液中,双嘧达莫在汞电极上有一不可逆的线性扫描还原峰,E_PC=—1.39V(vs饱和Ag/AgCl)。该峰具有明显的吸附性。当搅拌富集时间较长、双嘧达莫的浓度较小、扫描速度较快时,电极反应几乎完全为吸附态的双嘧达莫所控制。选相交流伏安等实验表明,吸附型体为双嘧达莫中性分子。测得该体系的电子转移数n为4,不可逆吸附的αn_α值为1.72。探讨了双嘧达莫的电极反应机理,建立了用吸附伏安法测定双嘧达莫的最佳条件。     

Differential function of CD80- and CD86-transfected human melanoma cells in the presence of IL-12 and IFN-gamma

Introduction of co-stimulatory molecules like CD80 and CD86 represents a means to augment the immunogenicity of tumor cells and to induce immune responses directed at tumor antigens. Here we compared CD80- and CD86-transfected human melanoma cells to induce primary immune responses by their capacity to promote proliferation of human allogeneic resting T lymphocytes. CD80- and CD86-transfected SkMel63 melanoma cells induced T cell activation to a comparable degree, which was found to be independent of the cell surface density of these co- stimulatory molecules. Co-expression of CD80 and CD86 did not result in a synergistic increase in T cell proliferation. Both CD80 and CD86 transfectants induced the proliferation of isolated CD4+ or CD8+ T cells. Exogenous IL-2, IL-4 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha respectively enhanced primary T cell proliferation independent of CD80 or CD86 expression. Interestingly, differential activities of CD80 and CD86 were observed following stimulation of resting T cells in the presence of IL-12. Whereas IL-12 increased T cell proliferation in the presence of CD86-transfected melanoma cells, it exhibited an inhibitory function in the presence of CD80-expressing SkMel63 cells. Experimental evidence indicates that this inhibitory effect was mediated by IFN- gamma since (I) IFN-gamma secretion of stimulated T cells was augmented by IL-12, (II) exogenous IFN-gamma also inhibited T cell proliferation induced by CD80- but not CD86-transfected SkMel63 cells and (III) the inhibitory effect of IL-12 was blocked by an anti-IFN-gamma mAb.      

β-锗代-α-氨基酸衍生物的合成及抗肿瘤活性

自六十年代初期发现羧乙基锗倍半氧化物(Ge—132)广泛的生物活性以来,已有许多相应的有机锗化合物被发现,在抗肿瘤活性方面,因有毒性较低、抗瘤谱广等一系列优点而引起人们广泛的兴趣,但由于活性较低影响了应用及发展,据文献报道,有机锗倍半氧     

Computed Tomographic Findings in 50 Cases of Gall Bladder Carcinoma

Background

A retrospective assessment of contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan findings in histopathologically proven cases of carcinoma of the gallbladder (GB) was performed to review its role in diagnosis, staging and assessment of surgical resectability.

Methods

All the patients had been subjected to a standardised abdominal helical computed tomography scan. Orally administered iodinated contrast was used for opacification of bowel and dynamic intravenous injection of non-ionic iodinated contrast for studying the lesional enhancement and vascular structures.

Results

The presence of focal or diffuse mass lesions in the gallbladder fossa, infiltration of a liver and second part of duodenum were the most reliable diagnostic features in carcinoma gallbladder. Regional spread was better delineated on CT scan as compared with ultrasonography.

Conclusion

CT scan is an effective method for evaluating, characterizing and detecting the spread of GB carcinomas.Key Words: Gall Bladder, Carcinoma, Computed Tomography     

First Melody? valve implantations in Africa

Congenital heart lesions involving the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) are a common problem in paediatric cardiology. These patients need multiple surgical interventions in the form of valved conduits over a lifetime. Surgical re-valvulation was the standard treatment option until the introduction of percutaneous pulmonary valves over a decade ago. These valves can be used to prolong the lifespan of conduits and reduce the number of re-operations. The Melody® valve (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) was introduced as the first dedicated percutaneous pulmonary valve. Percutaneous pulmonary valves can be implanted successfully and have the advantage of short hospitalisations. We describe the first three Melody® valve implantations in Africa.