A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF THE ACTION OF MALE HOR MONE ON HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN-CHOLESTEROL

Plasma testosterone and estradiol are determined in 72 patients with abnormal high density lipoprotein. cholesterol (HDL-C) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol/total cholesterol (H/T) ratio values, and in 72 randomly chosen males with normal HDLC and H/T values. The results showed that plasma testosterone levels in the groups with abnormal HDL-C and H/T were obviously lower than those in the controls. Statistically significant differences were found in all the abnormal groups in comparison with the controls (P0.20). Testosterone levels lowered further with increasing age in the groups with abnormal HDL-C and H/T., the most obvious drops were in the groups around 56 years of age (P<0.005). The data indicate that male hormone deficiency may reduce HDL-C and H.'T and facilitate the process of atherosclero_is. Therefore, it seems rational to treat such patients with male sex hormone preparations or to use the traditional Chinese medicines which strengthen Yang (maleness) in a new attempt to treat and prevent CHD.     

Risk of Respiratory Complications and Wound Infection in Patients Undergoing Ambulatory Surgery: Smokers versus Nonsmokers

Background: Smoking is considered to be a risk factor for patients undergoing surgery and anesthesia, but it is unclear whether this is applicable to patients undergoing ambulatory surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the risk of respiratory complications and wound infection among smokers.

Methods: The authors studied a random selection of 489 adult patients undergoing ambulatory surgery. Smoking status was determined by self-report and confirmed with end-expired carbon monoxide analysis. The risk of respiratory complications (i.e., desaturation, cough, laryngospasm, bronchospasm, breath-holding, or apnea) and wound infection (i.e., wound redness or discharge +/- positive microbial culture, requiring antibiotic therapy) in smokers versus nonsmokers was ascertained. Odds ratios were estimated from multivariable logistic regression and adjusted for age, gender, body mass index, partner's smoking status, domiciliary smoking exposure, and extent and duration of surgery.

Results: Most smokers continued to smoke up until the day of surgery. Smokers had a higher rate of respiratory complications (32.8%vs. 25.9%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-2.84;P = 0.038) and wound infection (3.6%vs. 0.6%; odds ratio, 16.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.58-175;P = 0.019). Odds ratios comparing current plus ex-smokers with nonsmokers were of similar magnitude for most of these complications.     

The Effects of Astragalus membranaceus and Tripterygium hypoglaucum on NK Activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

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THE HISTOLOGIC FEATURES AND HISTOGENESIS OF MALIGNANT OVARIAN BRENNER TUMOR

Eight cases of malignant and 12 0f benign Bren- ner tumor are reported, patient ages ranged 31 69 and 39-53 years. The malignant tumor was bilateral in 6 0f 8 cases, and the benign in l of 12. The greatest diameter of the malignant tumors averaged around 11 cm, and the benign 10. Six of the malignant Brenner tumor patients died, one was lost to follow up, and one survived for 10 years. Pathologic and microscopic findings were pre- sented in some detail. Based on the analysis of the association between the histologic features and type of Mullerian epithelium, we believe that the so called Brenner tumor is in effect a tumor arising from the Mullerian epithelium with a tendency to differentiate into vaginocervical type epithelium.     

Isolation and differentiation of embryonic stem cells from BALB/c mouse

Objective To invest the efficient method which can culture and induce embryonic stem cells to neurocyte in vitro. Methods Isolate the blastula of 3.5 d from BALB/c species mouse. Culture the cells from inner cell mass (inner cell mass, ICM) which were isolated by mechanical method on the mouse embryonic fibroblaste cell (MEF) feeder layer or 0.1% gelatin coated dishes. The stem cells were identified by characterized morphology, alkaline phosphatase stain, differential potency in vivo and immunochemistry stain. The isolated cells were differentiated by serial induction method that mimicking the intrinsic developmental process of the neural system. Results The isolated cells were positive for alkaline phosphatatse and SSEA-1 (stage specific embryonic antigen 1). Moreover they were identified pluripotent by differentiation in vivo. Therefore the isolated cells presented the characters of ESCs. Then the isolated cells were able to differentiate into neurocytes in vitro. Conclusion Mouse embryonic stem cells isolation, culture and differentiation system has been established.     

INTRAVENOUS LEIOMYOMATOSIS OF THE UTERUS WITH EARLY PREGNANCY

Intravenous leiomyomatosis is a rare uterineneoplasm, histologically characterized by nodularmasses of benign smooth muscle growing withinthe uterine and pelvic veins. The entity has ty-pical gross and microscopic features. A case of intravenous leiomyomatosisassociated with uterine leiomyoma, adenomyosisand early pregnancy was reported. The condi-tion was recognized during surgery for uterinefibroids. This is, to our knowledge, the thirdcase of intravenOUs leiomyomatosis associatedwith pregnancy so far reported.     

COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY IN TUBERCULOUSMENINGITIS

This paper reports computerized tomography(CT) findings in 21 cases of tuberculous meningitis,normal in 5 and abnormal in 16. ' The cases withabnormal CT findings were hydrocephalus, tuber-culoma, exudation in basal cisterns, brain edema andcerebral infarction. The incidence of hydrocephalusincreased with the duration and severity of illness.The Iocations of tuberculomas corresponded withpatients' clinical pictures. The study also indicatedthat patients wih normal or slighly changed scanshad good prognosis, but patients with severe hydrocephalus and exudation m basal cisterns had poorprognosis in spite of active medical treatment. CThas been proved valuable in diagnosis and treatmentof tuberculous meningitis.     

APPLICATION OF ACUPOINT-INJECTION THERAPY TO PAIN SYNDROME: CLINICAL ANALYSIS OF 250 CASES

In this paper,250 cases of headache,shoulder pain,lumbago and leg pain weretreated with 20％Angelicae Sinensis mixed with Vitamine B_(12) point-injection therapy.The total effective rate was 95.2％and in which the cure rate was 53.6％.Authors have found a close correlation between the effectiveness and the duration of disease.     

ISCHEMIC PAPILLOPATHY AND CONTRACEPTIVES

In January and again in April 1985, a 30-year old woman received 150 mg injections of Depo-Provera for contraception. 3 days after the 2nd injection, she experienced blurred vision in both eyes and was diagnosed as having bilateral papilledema. Her vision improved after treatment with vitamin B1 and other drugs. But optic atrophy of the right eye and papilledema of the left eye remained. In July 1985, after an injection with Depo-Provera, her vision again worsened. The woman received no more Depo-Provera after this time. In early 1987, she was referred to Beijing's Tong Ren Hospital, where she was diagnosed as having bilateral ischemic papillopathy and optic atrophy. There have been few documented cases in medical literature of ocular complications related to use of contraceptives. In 1981, Petursson et al. reported a case of macula edema resulting from oral contraceptives. In animal studies, oral contraceptives have been linked to papilledema and retinal vein obstruction. The case reported here is the 1st to link use of Depo- Provera with ocular complications.     

DIMETHYL-1-CURINE DIMETHOCHLORIDE - AN ALTERNA- TIVE FOR d-TUBOCURARINE CHLORIDE

Dimethyll-curine dimethochloride was obtained by methylating the l-curine which was isolated from plants belonging to Genesia Cyclea widely distributed in Hainan Island, South China. It is a non-depolariz- ing post neuromuscular junctional blocker acting upon N2 receptor. Its chemical structural formula, physical properties, pharmacological actions and acute or chronic toxicities have been thoroughly studied. Its biological activities varied a great deal in different experimental animals but their clinical potency is uniform. Its activity is 51.8% as those of d-tubocura rine. Clinically, 1,449 cases, male and female, aged and young, were studied. Among them 422 were employed for endotracheal intubation, 468 for muscu Iar relaxation and 559 for both. Operation varied, including intracraneal, intra-abdominal and open heart surgery. Different kinds of anesthetics and adjuvants were used in association. I.V. dosage of 0.4-0.5 mg/kg or more was enough for intubation while 0.2-0.3 mg/kg for relaxation. Average duration of action was 30-40 minutes, but could be prolonged after heavy doses. Side effects were limited only to mild hypotension and temporal face freshness, while cardiovascular disturbances were very insig- nificant.