Percutaneous drainage of chest abscesses in children

Seven patients ranging in age from 3 to 18 years underwent percutaneous drainage of eight intrathoracic abscesses. Five of the abscesses were mediastinal or paramediastinal and resulted from esophageal perforation or esophageal anastomotic leakage. The abscesses resolved in each case, with a mean catheter drainage time of 28 days and no need for surgical intervention. Three of the abscesses were intrapulmonary, and each lay adjacent to a pleural surface. All three lung abscesses resolved within 19-24 days, without thoracotomy or wedge resection.     

A new antitumor complex, WF-1360, WF-1360A, B, C, D, E and F

A complex of the new antitumor antibiotics (WF-1360, WF-1360A, B, C, D, E and F) was produced by Rhizopus sp. No. F-1360. Structural studies of these compounds suggested that they were novel 16-membered-ring lactones having an oxazole ring in their structures. WF-1360 was found to be identical with rhizoxin (1) and WF-1360B, C, E and F were determined to be homologues of 1 with structures 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. These compounds were cytotoxic when tested on P388 leukemia cells in vitro. WF-1360 was highly active against leukemia L1210 and melanoma B16. They also exhibited potent antifungal activities, but weak antimicrobial activities against some Gram-positive or negative bacteria.     

Inadvertent ligation of the left pulmonary artery

In five patients, aged 4 days to 20 months, the left pulmonary artery was inadvertently ligated at the time of attempted closure of the patent ductus arteriosus. The complication was recognized in these patients between 1 day and 5 years later from findings of chest radiography, two-dimensional echocardiography with spectral analysis of Doppler shifted echoes, and angiography. In three patients, the presence of asymmetric pulmonary blood flow on chest radiographs obtained after surgery initially suggested the diagnosis. In the other two patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, the diagnosis was made by means of two-dimensional echocardiography and Doppler spectra in one and angiography in the other. On angiograms, the left pulmonary artery distal to the ligation was visualized by delayed opacification from aortic collaterals in three patients and by means of pulmonary venous wedge injection in one. Radiographic and echocardiographic examination with Doppler spectra may permit prompt diagnosis and early correction of this complication.     

有机锗化物对豚鼠和家兔心脏电机械效应的影响

有机锗化物(二羧乙基锗三氧化物,dicarboxyethenylgermanium sesquioxide简称DCG)系一人工合成的新型化合物,分子式(GeCH_2CH_2COOH)_2O_3,分子量339.18,其中含纯锗42.8%。锗是生物体内非必需微量元素,在自然界及生物体内分布相当广泛。最近Ninomiya     

FK-506, a novel immunosuppressant isolated from a Streptomyces. II. Immunosuppressive effect of FK-506 in vitro

The immuno-pharmacological profile of a novel immunosuppressive agent, FK-506 produced by a streptomycete, is presented here. We proceeded to test the effect of the agent on various in vitro immune systems. It showed that mixed lymphocyte reaction, cytotoxic T cell generation, the production of T cell-derived soluble mediators such as interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 3 and gamma-interferon and the expression of the IL-2 receptor were suppressed by this agent. The IC50 values of FK-506 and ciclosporin (CS) in all tests were approximately 0.1 nM and 10 nM, respectively. Therefore, the novel agent, FK-506 suppressed in vitro immune systems at about hundred times lower concentration than CS.     

Regulation of sterol carrier protein 2 (SCP2) gene expression in rat peritoneal macrophages during foam cell formation. A key role for free cholesterol content.

Sterol carrier protein 2 (SCP2) has been shown to be involved in intracellular transport and metabolism of cholesterol. However, there have been no reports concerning SCP2 in macrophages, the major source of atheromatous foam cells. We investigated whether SCP2 is present in rat peritoneal macrophages and determined the changes of SCP2 and its mRNA levels in macrophages during form cell formation induced by acetylated LDL (AcLDL). Immunoblot analysis and Northern blot analysis demonstrated that both SCP2 and its mRNA are expressed in rat peritoneal macrophages. Incubations with AcLDL caused a dose- and time-dependent increase of cellular esterified cholesterol, SCP2 and its mRNA in rat peritoneal macrophages. The inhibitor of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase further enhanced AcLDL-induced increase of SCP2 protein and its mRNA. Incubations with 25-hydroxy cholesterol also caused a dose-dependent stimulation of SCP2 gene expression in macrophages, while incubation with maleylated BSA had no effect. These results suggest that the increment of cellular-free cholesterol is responsible for enhanced SCP2 gene expression in macrophages. The enhancement of SCP2 gene expression by AcLDL suggests that SCP2 may play an important role during foam cell formation induced by AcLDL which may be most important step for the atherosclerosis.     

抑制磷酸二酯酶5治疗心力衰竭的机制和临床意义

磷酸二酯酶5（PDE5）影响环磷酸鸟苷（cGMP）维持血管平滑肌紧张性的生理学效应,在阴茎海绵体的静脉系统和肺血管系统中尤为明显。