Interaction of hepatitis B surface antigen (Australia antigen) with membrane vesicles of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

A lysogenic strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was cultured from the dialysis fluid of a patient on chronic hemodialysis treatment whose blood contained hepatitis B surface antigen (HB8Ag). When this bacterium was incubated for 4 to 7 days with serum containing HB8Ag or with purified HB8Ag, a loss of the HB8Ag-specific immunological reactivity was observed. Bacteriophages can be induced from the isolated P. aeruginosa with mitomycin C; the phages, after purification on CsCl gradients, also lyse P. aeruginosa strain 25102 (ATCC). Subsequent to gradient centrifugation of the lysate, a fraction was found with a density around 1.40 g/ml that inactivated HB8Ag after a 4-h incubation at 37 C as determined by counterelectrophoresis and hemagglutination inhibition. The activity was not found in appreciable amounts in other gradient fractions. The electron microscope shows that the active fraction contains envelope vesicles of 45 to 60 nm in diameter. In spite of their loss in HB8Ag activity, the HB8Ag particles (22nm) appeared morphologically intact. These findings suggest that an enzyme(s) is present in the vesicle fraction which inactivates antigenic determinants on HB8Ag particles. Thus, the presence of these bacteria in environments such as feces, dialysis tanks, and contaminated drinking water may prevent the detection of HB8Ag.     

The mouse Mid1 gene: implications for the pathogenesis of Opitz syndrome and the evolution of the mammalian pseudoautosomal region

We have recently reported isolation of the gene responsible for X- linked Opitz G/BBB syndrome, a defect of midline development. MID1 is located on the distal short arm of the human X chromosome (Xp22. 3) and encodes a novel member of the B box family of zinc finger proteins. We have now cloned the murine homolog of MID1 and performed preliminary expression studies during development. Mid1 expression in undifferentiated cells in the central nervous, gastrointestinal and urogenital systems suggests that abnormal cell proliferation may underlie the defect in midline development characteristic of Opitz syndrome. We have also found that Mid1 is located within the mouse pseudoautosomal region (PAR) in Mus musculus , while it seems to be X- specific in Mus spretus. Therefore, Mid1 is likely to be a recent acquisition of the M. musculus PAR. Genetic and FISH analyses also demonstrated a high frequency of unequal crossovers in the murine PAR, creating spontaneous deletion/duplication events involving Mid1. These data provide evidence for the first time that genetic instability of the PAR may affect functionally important genes. In addition, we show that MID1 is the first example of a gene subject to X-inactivation in man while escaping it in mouse. These data contribute to a better understanding of the molecular content and evolution of the rodent PAR.      

A single-incision technique to harvest subepithelial connective tissue grafts from the palate

This article describes a new and simplified surgical approach to harvest subepithelial connective tissue grafts from the palate. For this procedure, only a single incision parallel to the gingival margin is used to access the donor site for graft preparation and harvesting. Grafts of variable size and thickness can be obtained. Since no band of epithelium is removed with the connective tissue graft the palatal donor site can heal with primary intention. No stents or hemostatic agents are necessary to cover the donor area postoperatively, and suturing can be reduced to a minimum. The harvesting technique is illustrated step by step, and the clinical application of connective tissue grafts harvested with the proposed method is demonstrated with the coverage of a gingival recession.     

瘤内注射重组人p53腺病毒治疗晚期肺癌临床试验观察

目的 观察重组人p53腺病毒注射液(rAd-p53)在晚期肺癌治疗中的疗效和毒副反应。方法 12例IIIb-IV期肺癌及3例肺转移癌,CT定位经皮肺穿刺瘤内注射rAd-p53,1 次/周×4/疗程;通过临床观察、CT及病理对照及短期随访进行评价。结果 治疗后2 月观察肿瘤缩小5例(33.3%),无变化7例(46.7%),增大3例(20%);治疗后病理观察:癌组织坏死,癌细胞稀少(6/11,54.5%);除自限性发热外,无明显毒副反应。结论rAd-p53瘤内注射治疗肺癌,无明显毒副作用,能较好地抑制局部肿瘤的发展,尤其对失去手术机会,不能耐受放化疗的患者,是一种可行的有前景的方法。     

Dietary beta-carotene absorption by blood plasma and leukocytes in domestic cats

Three experiments were conducted to study the uptake of oral beta-carotene by blood plasma and leukocytes in domestic cats. In Experiment 1, mature female Tabby cats (12 mo old) were given once orally 0, 10, 20 or 50 mg of beta-carotene and blood taken at 0, 12, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48 and 72 h after dosing. Concentrations of plasma beta-carotene increased in a dose-dependent manner. Peak concentrations were observed at 12-24 h and declined gradually thereafter. The half-life of plasma beta-carotene was 12-30 h. In Experiment 2, cats were dosed daily for six consecutive days with 0, 1, 2, 5 or 10 mg beta-carotene. Blood was sampled once daily at 12 h after each feeding. Daily dosing of cats with beta-carotene for 6 d resulted in a dose-dependent increase in circulating beta-carotene. Experiment 3 was designed to study the uptake of beta-carotene by blood leukocytes. Cats were fed 0, 5 or 10 mg of beta-carotene daily for 14 d. Blood leukocytes were obtained on d 7 and 14 to determine beta-carotene content in whole lymphocytes and in subcellular fractions. Blood lymphocytes took up large amounts of beta-carotene by d 7 of feeding. Furthermore, beta-carotene accumulated mainly in the mitochondria (40-52%), with lower amounts accumulating in the microsomes (20-35%), cytosol (15-34%), and nuclei (1.5-6%). Therefore, domestic cats readily absorb beta-carotene across the intestinal mucosa and transfer the beta-carotene into peripheral blood leukocytes and their subcellular organelles. beta-Carotene uptake kinetics show that some aspects of beta-carotene absorption and metabolism in cats are similar to those of humans.     

肺癌肺叶袖状切除术的安全性和有效性

目的:评价肺癌肺叶袖状切除术后患者的手术安全性和远期生存状况.方法:回顾分析了1999年10月至2003年12月行肺癌根治术的94名病例,其中肺叶袖状切除术11例(Ⅰ组),全肺切除术17例(Ⅱ组),肺叶切除术66例(Ⅲ组).通过比较三组术后气管插管时间、ICU停留时间、吻合口并发症率及围手术期死亡率,评价肺叶袖状切除术的手术安全性,比较Ⅰ、Ⅱ组间的生存期和转移复发率探讨其远期有效性.组间率比较用x2检验或Fisher精确检验,均数比较用t检验,生存分析用Kaplan-Meier法,生存曲线比较用Log rank检验.显著性差异标准α=0.05.结果:Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组的手术死亡率为0,11.8%,3.0%,组间无显著性差异;平均气管插管时间为0.5±2.3天,2.0±7.2天,0.6±4.1天(Ⅰ、ⅢVSⅡ组,P＜0.05);吻合口并发症率为3.0%,0,5.8%,组间无显著性差异.Ⅰ组1年、3年生存率为45.5%、32.5%,Ⅱ组为58.8%、45.8%.两组生存率、远期局部复发率和转移率无显著性差异.结论:肺癌肺叶袖状切除术具有和肺叶切除术相近的手术安全性,优于全肺切除术,而其复发转移率、远期疗效与后者相近,是安全有效的手术方式.