Study of severe hepatitis treated with a hybrid artificial liver support system

Artificial liver support system (ALSS) has been used to treat hepatic failure and has significantly decreased the mortality. TECA hybrid artificial liver support system (TECA-HALSS), which combines the hollow fiber bioreactor with a plasma exchange circuit, was used to assess the efficacy, safety and feasibility in treating severe hepatitis patients. The hybrid artificial liver support system (HALSS) consists of a bioreactor containing more than 5 x10(9) porcine hepatocytes and plasma exchange device. Fifteen patients with severe hepatitis were treated with this hybrid system. All patients experienced a reduction in symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal distention or ascites. After each treatment serum total bilirubin decreased markedly while prothrombin activity increased. There were ten patients whose progress of hepatocyte necrosis was stopped after HALSS treatment, and finally they recovered completely. One patient received liver transplantation after HALSS therapy and survived. No serious adverse events were noted in the fifteen patients.     

氧化苦参碱对LAK细胞活性的影响

ＬＡＫ细胞具有很强的广谱杀瘤作用，而氧化苦参碱具有较强的免疫抑制作用。本文研究了氧化苦参碱对ＬＡＫ细胞活力的影响，结果表明：氧化苦参碱可抑制ＩＬ－２对小鼠脾细胞的促增殖作用，并且对ＩＬ－２活化ＬＡＫ细胞杀伤Ｐ８１５的能力也有抑制作用。当ＩＬ－２（５００ｕ／ｍｌ）与２００μｇ／ｍｌ的氧化苦参碱共同孵育４ｄ后，可使ＬＡＫ细胞杀瘤能力（在效靶比为１００：１时）的８２．５％被抑制。同时氧化苦参碱本身对Ｐ８     

Analysis of the genetic diversity of genes 5 and 6 among group C rotaviruses using cDNA probes

Summary Two partial cDNA clones of genes 5 (encoding the major inner capsid protein VP 6) and 6 (encoding a nonstructural protein) of the porcine group (Gp) C rotavirus (Cowden strain) were radiolabeled with³²P and used individually as probes in Northern and dot blot hybridization assays. The specificity of each probe was tested against genomic dsRNA from: (1) porcine Gp A, B, and C rotaviruses; (2) Gp C rotaviruses from different species; and (3) porcine Gp C rotavirus field strains with varying electropherotype patterns. Neither probe hybridized with ds RNA from the porcine Gp A and B strains under the stringency conditions employed in the study. However, the gene 5 probe hybridized with the corresponding gene from the homologous porcine and the heterologous human and bovine Gp C rotaviruses tested. The gene 6 probe hybridized with the corresponding gene from the homologous Cowden strain, but hybridized weakly with gene 6 from the human and bovine Gp C rotaviruses. Both probes recognized all six different porcine Gp C field strains, although with varying intensities. Our results demonstrate that the gene 5 and 6 probes used in this study are specific for Gp C rotaviruses. However, evidence for greater genetic variation in the gene 6 among porcine, bovine and human Gp C strains suggested that the gene 5 probe may prove more broadly reactive among Gp C strains from different species. cDNA probes used in our study should prove useful for the detection of Gp C rotaviruses in feces and facilitate epidemiologic studies.     

Association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and the DXS7 locus

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent disorder in children. The etiology of this disease is not clear. Genetics studies have suggested the involvement of the dopamine DRD-4 receptor gene and dopamine transporter gene (DAT1). Clinical studies have shown that monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitors are effective in the treatment of ADHD. These findings suggest that monoamine oxidase (MAO) genes might be involved in the origin of ADHD. In the present work, the DXS7 locus of chromosome X, which is closely linked to MAO genes, was selected as a marker to study the possible association between ADHD and MAO genes in the Chinese population. Haplotype-based haplotype relative risk (HHRR) and the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) methods were employed to analyze the association and the linkage disequilibrium, respectively. Significant association (X(2) = 15.86; 1 df; P < 0.001) and linkage (X(2) = 14.88; 1 df; P < 0.001) were detected between the 157-bp allele of the DXS7 locus and the DSM-III-R-diagnosed ADHD (N = 72) in trios composed of father, mother, and affected offspring. The data suggested that ADHD was associated and in linkage with DXS7 locus.     

An effective method for quantitative evaluation of proteins adsorbed on biomaterial surfaces

An effective method for the quantitative evaluation of proteins adsorbed on biomaterial surfaces has been developed. First, the kinetic behavior of a range of human fibrinogen (Fib) adsorbed onto polystyrene (PS) films was investigated by using a reflectometry interference spectroscopy setup. The specific molecular number of adsorbed proteins, N(p,) was then defined. According to the definition, the numbers of Fib molecules adsorbed on PS films were calculated. An atomic force microscope (AFM) was used to scan the lateral distribution of the Fib molecules adsorbed on the PS films. From the AFM images, the practical specific molecular numbers were obtained by direct counting of the molecules. In order that the adsorbed number of Fib molecules on a unit area of the PS films could be counted easily, the solution concentration of proteins was reduced to 5 ag/mL (10(-18)g/mL). There was good consistency between the numbers calculated with the formula defined by us and the numbers counted from AFM images. Therefore, the results of the present study prove the validity of our definition of the specific molecular number of adsorbed proteins and the effectiveness of the reflectometry interference spectroscopy-based method for quantitative evaluation of adsorptive proteins.     

掌指关节的三维解剖及形态分析

目的：观测掌指关节关节面的几何形态,为人工关节的设计和应用提供解剖学依据。方法：10只成人手标本,解剖掌指关节,测量侧副韧带起点距掌骨头关节面的直线距离,三维数据检测仪获得关节面三维坐标数据,应用SPSS软件进行统计分析和成像。结果：掌骨头有双髁结构,桡侧髁略大,第1掌骨头形态特殊;各掌骨头高度的比较无显著差异;其掌侧关节面大于背侧,第2、3掌骨头关节面面积明显较大。近节指骨底在形态、高度和面积方面各序列相似;各序列侧副韧带起点桡侧较尺侧距离掌骨头关节面远。结论：手指人工关节的设计应符合解剖形态,并根据各序列形态的差异进行个体化设计,尤其拇指更应区别对待;手指人工关节的设计和应用中应注意软组织保护,关节的切除范围应注意保留侧副韧带的起止点。     

Suppressive effects of Sairei-to on monoclonal antibody 1–22–3-induced glomerulonephritis: Analysis of effective components

The effects of treditional Chinese medlclne (Salrel-to) on experimental glomerulonephritls Induced In rats by monodonal antibody (mAb) 1–22–3 lnjectlon was examined. The level of proteinuria in the Sairel-to-treated group was significantly lower than that In the PBS treated group. This suppressive effect was caused by the major component of Sealer-to, Syo-salko-to but not by another component, Gorel-san. The suppressive effect of Syo-salko-to was Identified In Its components ( Bupleuri radix, Pindilae tuber and Zingibers rhizoma ), but not In the other combined components ( Ginseng radix and Zizyphl fructus ). Further study weeled that the suppressive effects of the combined components were mainly derived from Bupleuri radix . It was demonstrated that the actual active Ingredient is probably Salkosaponin-d. Light microscopy revealed that Sairel-to and Its effective components suppressed the proliferation of mesanglal cells and mesanglal matrix expansion. Semi quantitative morphological studies of glomerular lesions on the eighth day showed that Syo-salko-to and Its combined components ( Bupleuri radix, Zinglberis rhizoma and Pinelliae tuber ) suppressed mesanglal matrix expansion significantly compared with phosphate-buffered saline control groups (matrix score: 28.0±19.1 vs 102.3±14.1; 30.9±30.1 vs 102.3±14.1, p<0.005, respectively). It was concluded that Salkosaponln-d, as well as Bupleuri radix , Syo-salko-to and Sairel-to can suppress proteinurla and morphological changes In the rat glomerulonephritls model Induced by mAb 1–22–3.     

Neuroendocrine changes in colon of mice with a disrupted IL-2 gene

Neuroendocrine peptides have a variety of physiological functions in the gastrointestinal tract. This study was carried out to investigate the impact of IL-2 deficiency on the neuroendocrine system in normal colon, and the neuroendocrine changes during colonic inflammation. Mice with homozygous disrupted IL-2 gene (IL-2-/-) spontaneously developed a bowel disease with similarities to human ulcerative colitis. Different types of colonic endocrine cells and myenteric nerves were analysed in the IL-2-/- mice using immunomorphometry. The neuropeptide contents in the colonic tissues were determined by radioimmunoassay. Age-matched healthy IL-2+/- and IL-2+/+ mice served as controls and the colonic IL-2 levels were compared between these two groups of mice by ELISA. Our data showed that less than half the amount of IL-2 was synthesized in the colon of IL-2+/- mice compared with the IL-2+/+ wild-type mice. Two major differences in the neuroendocrine colon were found between the mice with an intact and disrupted IL-2 gene. One was age-related. The frequencies of various endocrine cells and myenteric nerves increased with age in the IL-2+/+ mice. However, no such increases were seen in the mice with a disrupted IL-2 gene. Instead, the volume densities of enteroglucagon, serotonin cells and substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and total myenteric nerves were lower in the older IL-2+/- and IL-2-/- mice compared with the wild type. The other was disease-related. Polypeptide YY (PYY) cells and tissue levels of PYY, SP and VIP were significantly decreased in the IL-2-/- mice during the course of bowel inflammation compared with the healthy IL-2+/- and IL-2+/+ controls. These findings indicate that colonic neuroendocrine alterations did occur in the mice with a disrupted IL-2 gene and diminished local IL-2 level, suggesting a role of IL-2 in the regulation of the neuroendocrine system and a prevalent interaction between the immune and neuroendocrine systems in normal colon. On the other hand, there were some changes that seemed to correlate with the bowel inflammatory process. They might be associated with the impaired function in inflamed gut and contribute to the development and/or prolongation of disease.