CD44 ligation induces apoptosis via caspase- and serine protease-dependent pathways in acute promyelocytic leukemia cells.

We have recently reported that ligation of the CD44 cell surface antigen with A3D8 monoclonal antibody (mAb) triggers incomplete differentiation and apoptosis of the acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)-derived NB4 cells. The present study characterizes the mechanisms underlying the apoptotic effect of A3D8 in NB4 cells. We show that A3D8 induces activation of both initiator caspase-8 and -9 and effector caspase-3 and -7 but only inhibition of caspase-3/7 and caspase-8 reduces A3D8-induced apoptosis. Moreover, A3D8 induces mitochondrial alterations (decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential DeltaPsi m and cytochrome c release), which are reduced by caspase-8 inhibitor, suggesting that caspase-8 is primarily involved in A3D8-induced apoptosis of NB4 cells. However, the apoptotic process is independent of TNF-family death receptor signalling. Interestingly, the general serine protease inhibitor 4-(2-aminoethyl)-benzenesulfonyl fluoride (AEBSF) decreases A3D8-induced apoptosis and when combined with general caspase inhibitor displays an additive effect resulting in complete prevention of apoptosis. These results suggest that both caspase-dependent and serine protease-dependent pathways contribute to A3D8-induced apoptosis. Finally, A3D8 induces apoptosis in all-trans-retinoic acid-resistant NB4-derived cells and in APL primary blasts, characterizing the A3D8 anti-CD44 mAb as a novel class of apoptosis-inducing agent in APL.     

A structurally oriented approach to the repair of cicatricial entropion

A modified technique for the repair of moderate to severe cicatricial entropion has been developed. This method is unique, as it involves the creation of a bipedicled tarsoconjunctival advancement flap. The technique avoids the causes of surgical failure seen with standard tarsal fracturing procedures.     

Smoking and stroke.

The purpose of this review is to evaluate literature published since 1978 on the association between smoking and stroke. Two cohort studies found a dose-response relationship between the amount of cigarettes smoked per day and the relative risk of stroke. Also, two of the cohort studies found that when smoking ceased, the risk of stroke lessened (p less than 0.001). Nine case-control studies found a significant association between smoking and stroke for men and women. The biological association between smoking and stroke is plausible and several epidemiologic studies are supportive of this thesis. Additional, well-designed epidemiologic studies with a sufficient sample size to detect reasonably small odds ratios or relative risks (thus providing adequate statistical power) are warranted.     

Articular ossification after malignant neurolepsis. A case of schizophrenia treated with phenothiazines

Following administration of phenothiazines for schizophrenia, a 25-year-old patient developed a malignant neuroleptic syndrome followed by bilateral periarticular ossification of the knees, with severely limited motion. Two years later, the patient regained useful motion after bilateral excision of the ossified tissue and intensive physiotherapy. No recurrence of ossification was observed 3 years after operation, and the patient has maintained almost normal motion.     

Treatment of ulcerative colitis by traditional Chinese medicine and dynamic study of immune functions

The effect of the traditional Chinese medicinal herbs enema and enteric-coated capsules in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) were compared in 260 cases. The immune complexes and the dynamic change of autoantibodies were monitored in 28 out of the 260 cases before and after treatment. The following results were observed. (1) There was no significant difference in the total effective rate between the enema group and the oral capsule group (93.3% and 87.5% respectively), but the recovery rates of purulent hemafecia, mucusfecia and erosion accompanying colitis, etc. in the former group were higher than those in the latter (P less than 0.01). (2) The circulating immune complexes were found 43 times above the normal range in 17 cases with positive rate 60.7%, and tended to decrease as the condition became better after treatment. Antinuclear antibodies were determined by the indirect fluorescent immune method and the indirect enzyme labelling method and the positive rates were 53.6% and 64.7% respectively, both being much higher than those in the controls (P less than 0.01).     

Intrapartum fetal heart rate patterns and neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage

A goal for the obstetrician and neonatologist is to screen for risk factors associated with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in the low-birthweight infant. Perinatal events that lead to neonatal metabolic and cardiovascular derangements seem to provoke IVH, and conflicting reports have implicated labor as being contributory. A fetal heart rate (FHR) abnormality during premature labor may be a predictor of subsequent neonatal IVH. For this reason, 5 years of FHR tracings at two university medical centers were reviewed for inborn infants who were delivered after premature labor and weighed less than or equal to 2000 gm. Sixty-four infants developed IVH, but pre-existing labor with a discernible FHR pattern was recorded in only 38 (59%) cases. Interpretations were reassuring in 17 (45%) cases, suspicious in 7 (18%) cases, and ominous in 14 (37%) cases. This proportion of FHR patterns was not significantly different from a matched group of premature infants without IVH during the same period. Interpretations of intrapartum FHR patterns of low-birthweight infants are limited, especially before 30 weeks gestation, and not useful in predicting neonatal IVH.     

按阴阳辨证分类组方联合拉米夫定治疗慢性乙型肝炎临床研究

目的:观察按阴阳辨证分类组方联合拉米夫定治疗慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)的临床疗效。方法:90例CHB患者,随机分治疗组及对照组各45例,对照组除一般保肝、对症治疗外,加用拉米夫定抗病毒治疗,疗程6个月。治疗组在对照组用药基础上,按阴阳辨证法则分类组方治疗。口苦、便干、尿黄、苔黄腻、舌尖红、脉弦数或滑数均为有热属阳,用肝炎I号方治疗(茵陈,栀子,滑石,公英,二花,连翘,贯众,虎杖,柴胡,赤芍,郁金,当归,川芎,枳壳,甘草),无阳热征象即按阴湿类用肝炎II号方治疗(党参,白术,茯芩,黄芪,仙灵脾,山药,熟地,山萸肉,柴胡,升麻,干姜,甘草,虎杖),疗程与对照组相同,前3个月每天1剂,后3个月隔日1剂,水煎2次取汁400ml,分早晚服。疗程结束时,观察两组患者肝功能、乙肝病毒标志物及HBVDNA的变化。结果:治疗组与对照组患者血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)正常率分别为91%与75.5%,两组相比,差异有显著性(P<0.05);HBeAg、HBVDNA阴转率分别为29%、14%及31%、21%,两组相比差异有显著性(P<0.01或P<0.05);未见明显不良反应。结论:按阴阳辨证分类组方联合拉米夫定治疗CHB有改善肝功能和抑制乙肝病毒复制的功效,且辨证指标明确,易于在临床推广。