Computed tomography of the thorax

Computed tomography (CT) provides a valuable new perspective in assessing abnormalities of the thorax. In the patient with a mediastinal mass or widening detected by plain chest radiography, a definitive diagnosis is sometimes possible which would not be obtainable by conventional noninvasive radiological techniques. In certain clinical situations, CT is a highly sensitive modality for examining the lungs. The proved and potential clinical uses of CT in solving diagnostic problems of the thorax are discussed.     

TRILINOLEIN INHIBITS THE ADHESION OF NEUTROPHILS TO ENDOTHELIAL CELLS

1. Trilinolein is a triacylglycerol with linoleic acid as the only type of fatty acid in all three esterified positions of glycerol. It was recently reported to have a myocardial protective effect in coronary ligated rats. We now study its effect on the adhesion of human neutrophils to cultured bovine endothelial cells. 2. Pretreatment of an endothelial monolayer with trilinolein at concentrations ranging from 10^-10 to 10^-6 mol/L significantly inhibited neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells. Trilinolein was less potent than sodium nitroprusside in inhibiting neutrophil adhesion. 3. The inhibitory effect of trilinolein was antagonized by methylene blue and N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. The inhibitory effect of trilinolein was not mediated through linoleic acid because linoleic acid did not inhibit neutrophil adhesion. 4. Pretreatment of neutrophils with trilinolein did not reduce neutrophil adhesion. However, in neutrophils activated with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, trilinolein inhibited the neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells. 5. We conclude that trilinolein inhibits neutrophil adhesion to the endothelial monolayer by stimulating the nitric oxide and cyclic GMP pathways in endothelial cells. It may also inhibit neutrophil adhesion by scavenging free radicals. The inhibitory effect of trilinolein on neutrophil adhesion may play a role in its myocardial protective activity.     

甘草叶中甘草宁P-3′-甲醚的分离和鉴定

Two flavonoids were isolated from the leaves of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch (Licorice, Leguminosae). On the basis of physico-chemical properties and spectroscopy (UV, ¹HNMR and MS), a new compound was elucidated as 3,5,7,4′-tetrahydroxy-3′-methoxy- 6-isoprenyl flavone (gancaonin P-3′-methylether) and another known compound was identified as 8-C-prenyleriodictyol.     

Pneumothorax: appearance on lateral chest radiographs

The appearance of pneumothorax on lateral radiographs obtained with the patient erect were reviewed in 100 patients (122 total examinations). A pneumothorax could be seen on the lateral projection in 89% of the examinations (109 of 122). The displaced pleural line was most frequently identified anteriorly or posteriorly and was less commonly identified at the lung apex or in a subpulmonic location. In 11 cases, an air-fluid level was the only recognizable finding of a pneumothorax on the lateral projection. Although in 27% of examinations (32 of 122) the pneumothorax was either not seen (11%) (n = 13) or was a subtle finding (16%) (n = 19), in 14% of examinations (17 of 122) the lateral projection provided helpful information to supplement the posteroanterior projection.