Paediatric dacryocystorhinostomy

Of 258 cases of dacryocystorhinostomy performed on children in the period September 1981 to September 1991, 130 were for simple, unresolved congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Other indications for surgery included punctal agenesis, lacrimal fistula, post-traumatic and post-inflammatory canalicular obstruction. Of 177 children without canalicular pathology, 171 (96%) were relieved of symptoms with one operation, without canalicular intubation. Of 81 cases with canalicular disease, 55 of 70 (79%) who underwent DCR plus canalicular intubation, and 10 of 11 who underwent DCR plus Lester-Jones tube, were substantially improved with one operation. No child required peroperative or postoperative blood transfusion. Dacryocystorhinostomy in childhood, in experienced surgical hands, is a safe procedure, achieving relief of symptoms in most cases, particularly in the absence of canalicular disease.     

Comparative pathology of infections with baboon and African green monkey alpha-herpesviruses in mice

The comparative pathology of Herpesvirus papio 2 (HVP2) of baboons and SA8 virus of African green monkeys relative to that of herpes simplex virus (HSV1) of man was investigated in young adult mice inoculated intramuscularly and observed for 21 days. The 50% infectious dose (ID(50)) for HVP2 was approximately 10(2.0) plaque-forming units (PFU), while the ID(50) for HSV1 and SA8 was 10(2.5) and 10(3.8), respectively. There were marked differences in the ability of these three viruses to invade the central nervous system (CNS) and cause clinical neurological disease. HSV1 produced neurological signs in a few animals given 10(6)PFU, but SA8 did not. In contrast, HVP2 readily invaded the CNS and produced fatal disease with doses as low as 10(2)PFU. Two isolates of HVP2 tested had a 50% CNS disease dose (CNSD(50)) of 10(2.5) and 10(3.0)PFU and an LD(50) of 10(3.8) and 10(4.3)PFU, respectively. Histopathological examination of tissue from HVP2-infected mice revealed severe lesions of inflammation and necrosis in the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems, as well as of other tissues including skin, adrenal glands and the gastrointestinal tract. Viral antigens were detected immunohistochemically in lesions. This study showed that while both HVP2 and SA8 could infect mice, there were marked differences in the ability of these two closely related viruses to cause clinical disease and CNS lesions. This murine model may prove useful in the investigation of viral or host determinants responsible for the varying neurovirulence of these simian alpha-herpesviruses.     

Phylogenetic studies on the immune response: III. Autoradiographic studies on the lymphoid system of the Australian echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus*

In the Australian echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus, a close relative of the extinct ancestors of higher mammals, the lymphoid organs were investigated by means of autoradiographic studies after the injection of [³H]thymidine and ¹²⁵I-labelled flagellar antigen of Salmonella adelaide. The histology of organs from echidnas injected with colloidal carbon was studied in parallel. The results lead to the conclusion that each lymph nodule in the echidna represents a single lymphoid follicle comparable to a cortical follicle in lymph nodes of higher mammals. Studies on lymph nodules of echidnas injected with [³H]thymidine revealed the presence of highly active germinal centres, usually one per nodule. Antigen became localized first around the entire nodule; later on it was found within the germinal centre or in its peripheral parts. Often a germinal centre was eccentrically located, in which case the labelled antigen formed the typical germinal centre cap known to be characteristic of secondary follicles in the rat lymph node. A significant uptake of antigen was also seen in the appendix, the Peyer's patches of the gut and in the Hassall's corpuscles of the thymus.

Our findings for the echidna lymph nodule are discussed with respect to their possible significance in the evolutionary development of the multi-follicular lymph node of higher mammals.

     

恶性肿瘤患者血清与尿液中一氧化氮含量测定

0 引言一氧化氮（Nitric oxide,NO）是一种具有活跃生物化学性质的无机小分子. NO对许多肿瘤细胞和微生物有细胞毒性［1］,为探讨NO与肿瘤的关系,我们检测了119例恶性肿瘤患者血清及尿液中的NO.     

Validation of the Cytochemical Section Bioassay for Thyroid Stimulating Antibodies

A cytochemical bioassay for thyroid stimulators which utilised 12 um sections of guinea pig thyroid as the target tissue was validated and applied to the measurement of thyroid stimulating antibodies (T.S.Ab.) in human plasma. T.S.H. and T.S.Ab. could be distinguished in the assay by the times at which they produced maximal responses; 90 seconds for T.S.H. and 180 seconds for T.S.Ab. Homogeneity of response to stimulation was relatively uniform throughout thyroid tissue enabling simultaneous measurement of several plasma samples per guinea pig. Sensitivity of the assay was 1.5 ± 10^?9 mU/1 MRC L.A.T.S.-B. Antiserum to H-T.S.H. produced no significant change in T.S.Ab.-like activity when added to plasma from a thyrotoxic patient. Both anti-IgG and aliquots of a homogenate of thyroid tissue from a thyrotoxic patient diminished responses of thyrotoxic plasma in a concentration dependent manner. T.S.Ab. was present at titres of 1/100 to 1/100,00 in 13 hyperthyroid patients tested to date.     

Characterization of an ester-based core-multishell (CMS) nanocarrier for the topical application at the oral mucosa

Objectives

Topical drug administration is commonly applied to control oral inflammation. However, it requires sufficient drug adherence and a high degree of bioavailability. Here, we tested the hypothesis whether an ester-based core-multishell (CMS) nanocarrier is a suitable nontoxic drug-delivery system that penetrates efficiently to oral mucosal tissues, and thereby, increase the bioavailability of topically applied drugs.

Material and methods

To evaluate adhesion and penetration, the fluorescence-labeled CMS 10-E-15-350 nanocarrier was applied to ex vivo porcine masticatory and lining mucosa in a Franz cell diffusion assay and to an in vitro 3D model. In gingival epithelial cells, potential cytotoxicity and proliferative effects of the nanocarrier were determined by MTT and sulphorhodamine B assays, respectively. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) was measured in presence and absence of CMS 10-E-15-350 using an Endohm-12 chamber and a volt-ohm-meter. Cellular nanocarrier uptake was analyzed by laser scanning microscopy. Inflammatory responses were determined by monitoring pro-inflammatory cytokines using real-time PCR and ELISA.

Results

CMS nanocarrier adhered to mucosal tissues within 5 min in an in vitro model and in ex vivo porcine tissues. The CMS nanocarrier exhibited no cytotoxic effects and induced no inflammatory responses. Furthermore, the physical barrier expressed by the TEER remained unaffected by the nanocarrier.

Conclusions

CMS 10-E-15-350 adhered to the oral mucosa and adhesion increased over time which is a prerequisite for an efficient drug release. Since TEER is unaffected, CMS nanocarrier may enter the oral mucosa transcellularly.

Clinical relevance

Nanocarrier technology is a novel and innovative approach for efficient topical drug delivery at the oral mucosa.

     

Muscular sufficiency, serum protein, enzymes and bioenergetic studies (31-phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy) in chronic malnutrition

Muscle sufficiency was significantly lower in 1336 children with chronic malnutrition of moderate to severe degree. Eighteen children with a chronic moderate degree of malnutrition and 8 well-nourished, age-matched controls were selected for biochemical and 31-phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31 -P MRS) studies. The results showed that: (a) serum total protein, albumin, iron, calcium and inorganic phosphate were similar in both groups; (b) serum enzyme levels were significantly increased in the malnourished group; (c) 31-P MRS showed significantly higher means for total ATP, β-ATP, a-ATP and inorganic phosphate for the malnourished compared to the control group. In chronic malnutrition, proteins are maintained by degradation in muscle resulting in release of amino acids and enzymes. 31-P MRS studies showing increases in total ATP, β-ATP and inorganic phosphate and a decrease in phosphocreatine suggest that ATP is maintained at the cost of phosphocreatine.