Cellular phenotypes of normal and leukemic hemopoietic cells determined by analysis with selected antibody combinations

Individual leukemic cells and the corresponding rare normal cell types in nonleukemic bone marrow were analyzed with various combinations of antisera (labeled with different fluorochromes: TRITC and FITC). Double staining for membrane Ia-like molecules (TRITC) and nuclear terminal transferase (FITC) was a very useful combination that distinguished common non-T, non-B ALL (Ia+,TdT+) and thymic ALL (Ia-,TdT+) from the rare cases of B ALL (Ia+,TdT-) and from AML (frequently Ia+, TdT-; in some cases Ia-, TdT-). Additional antisera (such as anti-ALL, anti- HuTLA, anti-immunoglobulin reagents, etc.) confirmed the diagnosis and further characterized the leukemic blasts. Ia+,TdT+ cells could be observed in low numbers in normal and nonleukemic regenerating marrow and were probably normal precursor cells; this reagent combinations was, therefore, not useful for monitoring residual non-T, non-B ALL blasts in treated patients. Other marker combinations detecting pre-B ALL blasts (double staining for cytoplasmic IgM and nuclear TdT) and Thy-ALL blasts (HuTLA+,TdT+) were, however, virtually leukemia specific in the bone marrow and could be used to effectively monitor residual leukemic cells throughout the disease. These combined single-cell assays are not only economical and informative but are also important for assessing the heterogeneity of leukemia and for standardizing new mouse or rat monoclonal antibodies for diagnosis.     

Factors associated with the use of breast and cervical cancer screening services among Chinese women in Hong Kong

We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire among attendees of a well women clinic in Hong Kong during June and July 1998. The study aimed to examine the factors associated with the past and future use of screening services among Chinese women in Hong Kong and their perception of service providers. Of the 430 respondents (64% response rate), 87% were aged 31-50 y, 85% married, 93% attained education to upper secondary school level, and 96% were non-smokers. Nearly all respondents (99%) reported having sexual experience and most of them (87%) had such experience with only one partner; 59% reported having a pap-smear test, 28% a mammogram and 44% a breast self-examination. Women who were health conscious (ate a lower fat diet and performed regular exercise) were more likely to have used the screening service (mammogram and pap-smear test) and performed breast self-examination. Staff manner, privacy and cost were the most common contributing factors for respondent's desire for future use of the screening service. Respondents showed a preference for doctors (70%) over nurses (30%), and females (80%) over males (20%) as their service providers. The findings suggest the need to disseminate appropriate information on screening services among the public to dispel misconceptions about the preference for doctors over nurses and females over males. Improving clinician- and other staff-patient communication would be important for breast and cervical screening programs in Hong Kong.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma with extrahepatic collateral arterial supply

Haepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy, representing the fifth most common cancer in the world. Without treatment, the median survival of HCC patients has been reported to be 8 weeks from symptomatic presentation. Transarterial chemoembolisation is widely used to manage unresectable HCCs. However, when a tumour is large or locates near the liver capsule, it may receive supplies from vessels other than hepatic arteries. In this paper, we discuss the anatomy of possible extrahepatic collateral arterial supplies of HCCs.     

难治性乳糜泻

乳糜泻是一种自身免疫性疾病．由对小麦、黑麦和大麦中的麸质发生持久不耐所致。存在乳糜泻遗传易感性的个体会发生近端小肠慢性炎症、固有层和上皮内淋巴细胞浸润以及隐窝增生和绒毛萎缩。大多数乳糜泻患者遵循无麸质饮食（GFD）后,其临床症状和组织病理学均有所改善。难治性乳糜泻（RCD）是乳糜泻的一种罕见并发症,患者严格执行GFD但症状仍持续或复发：RCD患者预后差,可能死于严重吸收不良或发展为肠病相关T细胞淋巴瘤（EATL）。     

热致相分离法制备聚（乳酸-乙醇酸）/羟基磷灰石复合骨组织工程支架材料的生物相容性

目的：观察热致相分离方法制备的聚（乳酸-乙醇酸）/羟基磷灰石复合骨组织工程支架的生物相容性,为其临床应用提供生物学依据. 方法：①采用热致相分离法制备聚（乳酸-乙醇酸）/羟基磷灰石复合组织工程支架,用扫描电镜观察支架的微观形貌,应用比重瓶法测定支架的孔隙率.②将兔骨髓基质细胞与多孔支架进行体外联合培养,观察和测定细胞在支架上的黏附率和生长情况.③将支架植入兔背部皮下组织,观察活体情况,并于第4周麻醉后处死动物,剖开植入材料部分肌肉,分别用肉眼和苏木精-伊红染色切片观察肌肉组织周围有无明显的炎症反应、有无组织生长. 结果：①支架的微观结构和孔隙率：支架的表面和内部都有着较均匀的孔径分布,孔径在100～150 μm,孔隙呈近圆形,孔壁上还存在着很多小孔,孔隙之间有着较好的连通性,羟基磷灰石掺量在5%时候复合支架的孔隙率能达到80%以上.②细胞黏附情况：细胞能在复合支架上黏附、增殖,4 h后材料的平均黏附率达到41.9%,体外培养7 d后,细胞在支架孔隙内黏附铺展.③体内植入实验结果：材料植入体内4周后取出,肌肉组织无明显的炎症反应,表现出很好的组织相容性. 结论：运用热致相分离的方法制备的聚（乳酸-乙醇酸）/羟基磷灰石复合骨组织工程支架孔径大小适当、孔隙率高,材料无明显毒性,具有较好的细胞亲和性和良好的生物相容性,具备了临床应用的前提.     

Influence of breastfeeding and complementary food on growth between 5 and 10 months

The aim of this study was to examine the nature of the association between breastfeeding, complementary feeding and growth in a random sample of infants from Denmark, where the prevalence of breastfeeding is high. A semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire and a questionnaire on breastfeeding duration and on weight and length measurements taken at the infant welfare visit at 5 and 10 months were sent to 590 families with 10-month-old infants. A total of 339 infants with complete growth data were included in the analyses. When controlling for mid-parental height and birth weight infants breastfed for ≥ 7 months gained 198 g less in weight ( p < 0:01) and 7 mm less in length ( p < 0:01) during the period from 5 to 10 months than infants breastfed for < 7 months. Controlling for these effects, the 10% of the sample with the highest protein intake (i.e. ≥16 energy percentage) gained 262g more than those with a lower protein intake ( p = 0:03). Infants breastfed for ≥ 7 months received significantly less cow's milk ( p < 0:01), and fewer meat-containing dishes ( p < 0:05) and sweets or cakes ( p < 0:01), which may partly explain the effect of breastfeeding. The long-term consequences of this moderate difference in growth velocity are unknown and the findings should not be used to advocate against breastfeeding during late infancy.