Multitest skin testing values of cell-mediated immunity among healthy individuals in Taiwan

The multitest CMI system, a disposable device that simultaneously applies seven standardized preloaded antigens and diluent control, is a major advance for measurement of delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) in assessment of cell-mediated immunity (CMI). The system was tested in 84 healthy volunteers, 42 in each sex, aged 4-62 years, to determine normal values for incidence and size of DTH responses to each of seven antigens. Incidence of positive responses to individual antigens varied from 84.5% to 11%, more than half of volunteers were reactive to Tuberculin, Candida and Diphtheria, and a third to Tetanus, Streptococcus and Tricophyton. 95.3% of volunteers to one or more antigens, and about two thirds to three or more. To better assess CMI, a two-part score based on 48-hour readings was employed. The mean number of positive antigens ranged between 2.2 and 3.3, the mean sum of their millimeter induration ranged between 10.8 and 18.2, the average sum of diameters were 16.7 mm in males and 15.2 mm in females. There was no statistic significance to sex and age during scoring, although there was somewhat higher in males, young and mature age groups. In our series, Tuberculin reaction is the highest one in this seven antigens, about 4.76% of volunteers are anergy. A statistical zone (95% confidence limits) of reduced DTH scores (hypoergy) was identified, it reveals sum of diameters less than 9mm in males and 7mm in females, number of positive antigens are less than 2 in each sex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

不同起搏模式对病人生存质量影响的调查研究

[目的]探讨不同起搏模式对病人生存质量（QOL）的影响。[方法]以健康调查问卷（SF一36量表）对112例不同起搏模式病人进行问卷调查，比较3种起搏模式下病人的QOL水平。[结果]除机体疼痛、角色情绪2个维度外其余6个维度（生理功能、角色限制、活力、社会功能、精神健康、总体健康）3种起搏模式间比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。[结论]应用AAI型、DDD型起搏器的病人生存质量优于VVI型起搏。     

Plasma lyso-phosphatidylcholine concentration is decreased in cancer patients with weight loss and activated inflammatory status

Background  

It has been observed that ras-transformed cell lines in culture have a higher phosphatidylcholine (PC) biosynthesis rate as well as higher PC-degradation rate (increased PC-turnover) than normal cells. In correspondence to these findings, the concentrations of the PC-degradation product lyso-phosphatidylcholine (LPC) in cancer patients were found to be decreased. Our objective was the systematic investigation of the relationship between LPC and inflammatory and nutritional parameters in cancer patients. Therefore, plasma LPC concentrations were assessed in 59 cancer patients and related to nutritional and inflammatory parameters. To determine LPC in blood plasma we developed and validated a HPTLC method.     

99m TC-MIBI动态显像对非小细胞肺癌化疗疗效的预测价值初探

目的 探讨^99mTC-MIBI动态显像对非小细胞肺癌化疗疗效的预测价值。方法 对确诊为不能手术的非小细胞肺癌患者化疗前,静脉注射740mbq ^99mTC-MIBI后分别于30min,2h行SPECT动态扫描,计算早期/晚期肿瘤组织与对侧正常肺组织的放射活性比（T/Ne,T/Nd）,全身采用卡铂/顺铂＋VP16化疗3周期,随后复查胸部CT,评判化疗疗效及其与^99mTC-MIBI动态显像的关系。结果 78例NSCLC符合入选标准,并完成化疗方案,66例呈阳性显像,12例阴性显像,66例阳性显像中化疗有效率为90.7%,阴性显像12例中化疗全部进展,两者比较差异有显著性（P〈0.01）。结论 ^99mTC-MIBI动态显像的放射活性越高,化疗效果越好,对非小细胞肺癌化疗疗效有预测价值,可为合理制定治疗方案提供重要依据。     

Sympathoadrenal excitation and inhibition by lower brainstem stimulation in cats

Effects of stimulation of brainstem sites on hemodynamics and plasma catecholamine levels were assessed in cats under chloralose-urethane anesthesia. Pressor areas of the dorsal medulla (DM) and ventrolateral medulla (VLM) and the depressor area of the paramedian reticular nucleus (PRN) were stimulated electrically using a monopolar electrode, or chemically using sodium glutamate microinjection. Plasma levels of norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI) were measured in caval blood above the adrenal veins. Electrical stimulation of the DM and VLM produced increases in blood pressure and in plasma NE and EPI levels that were enhanced after acute vagotomies. The NE and EPI responses were attenuated after acute, bilateral adrenalectomies, confirming augmented adrenomedullary secretion, whereas the pressor responses were intact. Injection of sodium glutamate into the same pressor regions of the DM or VLM also produced pressor responses and elevated plasma catecholamine levels, indicating that the responses resulted from activation of neuronal perikarya. Stimulation of the PRN attenuated pressor and catecholamine responses during stimulation of the DM and VLM. The results indicate that pressor responses during stimulation of the DM and VLM are due at least partly to activation of perikarya in these regions, are associated with but not dependent on adrenomedullary activation, and are enhanced after vagotomy; and that neurons of the PRN exert inhibitory modulation of the pressor and adrenomedullary responses during stimulation of VLM and DM.     

二尖瓣置换术围手术期硝普钠的应用

本文介绍了20例二尖瓣置换术病人围手术期使用硝普钠的经验。术中和术后早期使用硝普钠可降低肾素-血管紧张素系统的活性、减轻外周血管阻力和后负荷,增强泵血功能,从而使心脏指数升高,降低术后高血压和肺水种的发生率。体外循环停止后,硝普钠与低浓度升压药并用可增强心肌收缩力,预防低排综合征     

A novel DRB1*09 allelic sequence in the Jing ethnic minority of China.

A new DRB1 allele, DRB1*0902, has been identified in an individual of the Jing ethnic minority. Its sequence was confirmed by sequencing of PCR products and clones. This allele differed by three nucleotides from DRB1*09012 at positions 157, 161 and 166, and resulted in amino acid motif substitution from VAES to DAEY.     

Invasion of the skull base by carcinomas: histopathologically evidenced findings with CT and MRI

The depth and extent of the invasion of the skull base by a tumor are the most critical information for successful en bloc resection of the tumor. The only means available for the evaluation of these factors are CT or MRI images. In order to clarify the ability of these imaging modes to delineate the invasion of the skull base, preoperative images of ten patients who underwent en bloc resection of skull base tumors at Kobe University Hospital were compared with the histopathological findings of the resected specimens. CT proved to be superior to MRI for evaluating bone destruction of the skull base. On the other hand, MRI provided more useful information about intracranial invasion than CT. As a hypertrophic linear shadow on Gd-enhanced MRI represented dural invasion or thickened dura mater adjacent to the tumor, this technique should be taken into consideration to determine the dural resection. We concluded that preoperative evaluation of the depth of skull base invasion by both CT and Gd-enhanced MRI is essential for planning complete tumor resection.