TCA: a polymorphic genetic marker in leukemias and melanoma cell lines

TCA (T Cell system A) is a di-allelic system of HLA-like antigens encoded by genes located about 15 cM telomeric to HLA-A. In normal individuals, TCA antigens are only expressed on a subpopulation of T cells, the TG lymphocytes. We now report on the expression of TCA on leukemias and other malignancies. An increased proportion of cells carrying the TCA phenotype was encountered in testing peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with acute lymphoblastic T-cell leukemia (T- ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In contrast, patients with B-cell malignancies such as chronic lymphatic leukemia (CLL) and hairy cell leukemia (HCL) or non-T/non-B common acute lymphoblastic leukemia (common ALL) had normal proportions of TCA-positive lymphocytes. Quantitatively different levels of TCA expression are found on some melanoma cell lines and others are TCA negative. These variations are independent of the expression of HLA Class I antigens by the same cells. The expression of TCA antigens by malignant nonlymphoid cells suggests that this system may code for differentiation markers, important in the biology of neoplastic transformation.     

The intensity of scattered radiation in mammography

The ratio of scattered-to-primary radiation has been measured for a range of x-ray tube voltages, field sizes and phantom thicknesses that typify clinical mammographic situations. The relative intensity of scattered radiation measured was essentially independent of kVp but increased as the phantom thickness and radiation field size increased. For the range of field sizes and phantom thicknesses that typify clinical situations the intensity of scattered radiation varied from about 40 to 85% of the primary beam intensity indicating that only from about 54 to 71% of the primary beam contrast is imaged in mammography.     

Chasing the base deficit: hyperchloraemic acidosis following 0.9% saline fluid resuscitation

Base deficit is a parameter often used to guide further treatment in acidotic children and is taken as a measure of how "sick" they are. Five children with septic shock are presented who had persisting base deficit after large volume resuscitation with 0.9% saline. Stewart's strong ion theory of acid-base balance is able to quantify the causes of metabolic acidosis and is used to show that our patients had a hyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis. We show how the chloride content of the saline loads given to our patients caused this hyperchloraemia. It is concluded that 0.9% saline and other chloride rich fluids may not be ideal resuscitation fluids; if used, clinicians must be aware of their potential to cause a persistent base deficit.     

术中超声检查在肝脏肿瘤手术中应用的临床意义

目的探讨术中超声((intraoperative ultrasound,IOUS)检查在肝脏肿瘤手术的临床意义。方法对53例(89个结节)肝脏肿瘤患者的术中超声检查结果与术前影像学检查(包括体外经皮超声(ultrasonography,US)、核磁共振成像(magnetic res-onance imaging,MRI)和计算机断层扫描(computed tomography,CT))进行对比分析,以评价术中超声与术前影像学检查的差异;将术中超声检查与术中外科医生评定(包括肉眼观察、双手触诊)进行对比分析,以评价术中超声在外科手术过程中的作用。结果在肝脏肿瘤的探查中I,OUS、US、CT、MRI的敏感性分别为100%(89/89个结节)、81%(72/89个结节)、82%(49/60个结节)和87%(40/46个结节),特异性分别为91%(81/89个结节)、89%(64/72个结节)、90%(44/49个结节)和93%(37/40个结节)。在外科手术过程中,外科医生经望诊、触诊不能发现病灶,而由术中超声检查发现并定位的患者有11例,15个结节(17%,15/89个结节)。术前所有影像学检查未能提示结节,而由术中超声检查发现的患者有8例,11个结节。结论IOUS是检查发现肝脏肿瘤最敏感的方法,在手术过程中,可帮助外科医生发现触及不到的已知结节和发现新结节。     

男男性行为者公开性取向与艾滋病相关行为的关系研究

目的了解男男性行为者（MSM）公开性取向与艾滋病相关行为的关系。方法从MSM不同年龄、活动场所等“亚群”特征中招募符合条件的“种子”共8人,结合滚雪球抽样法招募调查对象,进行相关行为匿名调查和血清学检测,应用Y。检验、非条件logistic回归分析进行数据分析。结果合格调查401例,公开性取向11．0％（44／401）。公开性取向／未公开性取向艾滋病病毒（HIV）确证感染率6．8％（3／44）／6．4％（23／357）,梅毒累计感染率15．9％（7／44）／22．1％（79／357）,现症感染率6．8％（3／44）／9．5％（34／357）（X2=0．107、0．900、0．096,P均〉0．05）。单因素分析：年龄、职业、婚姻状况、性取向、收入、近1年接受HIV检测、自认感染风险、阳性结果的态度、认识当地MSM朋友数、家庭关系、固定性伴侣（BF）间感情付出、更多寻找一夜情性伴的原因、近6月男性肛交数、商业性行为,女性性行为、有BF性伴、无保护性口交、累计BF数、有过异性性行为、商业性行为与公开性取向相关（X2=6．921、3．927、6．678、4．767、7．565、5．083、4．104、6．165、12．455、13．257、14．315、6．471、12．062、10．432、4．951、4．692、7．205、5．019、8．568、7．233,P均〈0．05）。多因素分析,公开性取向的独立影响因素：收入（OR=3．745,95％CI：1．446～9．687）、BF间感情付出（OR=5．863,95％CI：2．257～14．256）、近6月男性商业性行为（OR=8．000,95％CI：1．468～43．478）、近6月男性肛交数（OR=3．706,95％CI：1．324～10．367）,收入较高,BF间感情付出很多,近6月男性肛交数≥5、有男性商业性行为者公开性取向的比例较高。结论MSM公开性取向很少,其公开性取向与否对社会及社群健康的影响极具双面性,在艾滋病防治中应针对各自特征开展健康教育和行为干预。     

A device to measure in vivo forces in human flexor tendons during carpal tunnel operations

An apparatus has been designed to measure the in vivo forces transmitted along human hand flexor tendons during carpal tunnel release procedures. The tendon will be run through three hooks, the central one of which is attached to a load cell. The rationale is that once these forces are known this will aid in the design of repair techniques and rehabilitation regimens. As a first stage, an in vitro validation study is presented using cord subjected to varying forces to mimic an in vivo flexor tendon under varying conditions of use. Our results show that we can accurately and reproducibly measure the force in the cord.