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CeOx/ZnO nanocomposite powders were prepared by sol-gel process. The powder samples were examined by XRD, TEM, XPS and photoluminescence (PL). PL enhancement of nanocomposite powder at 502 nm compared to pure ZnO was observed when Ce3+ were present in samples. New peak at 603 nm was observed when Ce4+ were present. PL enhancement of nanocomposite powder was correlated with more oxygen vacancies which were caused by Ce3+. The new peak at 603 nm is attributed to new energy transition in the interface of CeO2/ZnO.

Mg(x)Zn(1-x)O ternary alloy nanocrystals with hexagonal wurtzite structures were fabricated by using the sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction patterns, UV-vis absorption spectra, and photoluminescence spectra were used to characterize the structural and optical properties of the nanocrystals. For as-prepared nanocrystals, the band gap increases with increasing Mg content. Weak excitonic emission with strong deep-level emission related to oxygen vacancy and interface defects is observed in the photoluminescence spectra at room temperature. Thermal annealing in oxygen was used to decrease the number of defects and to improve the quality of the nanocrystals. In terms of XRD results, the grain sizes of nanocrystals increase with increasing annealing temperature and the lattice constants of alloy are smaller than those of pure ZnO. The band gap becomes narrower with increasing annealing temperature. For Mg(x)Zn(1-x)O nanocrystals (x=0.03-0.15) annealed at temperatures ranging from 500 to 1000 degrees C, intense near-band-edge (NBE) emissions and weak deep-level (DL) emissions are observed. Consequently, the quality of Mg(x)Zn(1-x)O nanocrystals can be improved by thermal annealing.

Objective: To investigate the antitumor effects and toxicity of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib (Iressa) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)., Methods: The clinical data and quality of life of 66 patients with NSCLC treated with Iressa orally at the dose of 250 mg/d were reviewed, and the data were analyzed by using logistic analysis, chi(2) test and t test. The impact of treatment on disease-related symptoms and quality of life was evaluated with Chinese version of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life Core Questionnaire-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and QLQ-LC13., Results: Tumor response rate was 33%. Disease control rate, which included both tumor responses and stable disease, was 70%. The mean scores of each functioning scales and global quality of life in QLQ-C30 increased significantly. Response rates were 91% - 100%. Mean scores of disease-related symptoms decreased significantly. Response rates were 73% - 100%. Quality of life and symptom response were correlated with objective tumour response. The 250 mg/day dose of Iressa was well tolerated by patients. The majority of adverse events were grade I or grade II skin rash and diarrhea, which were manageable and reversible., Conclusion: Iressa offers a new treatment option providing meaningful tumor control and symptom relief for many patients with advanced NSCLC.

Objective: To study the existence of Ehrluichiosis, lyme disease and tick-borne spotted fever coinfection in some areas in China., Methods: Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), B. burgdorferi sensu lato, spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsiae and human granulocytic ehrlichia (HGE), Ehrlichia chaffeensis (EC) were detected in ticks and mouse samples collected from Inner Mogolia autonomous region, Heilongjiang province, Beijing and Fujian province., Results: 408 Ixodes persulcatus collected from Inner Mogolia autonomous region, HGE and B. burgdorferi sensu lato and SFG Rickettsiae were detected positive, with rates as 6.8%, 7.8%, 45.6%, respectively. 5 (5/408) were coinfection with HGE and B. burgdorferi sensu lato while 1 (1/408) was coinfection with HGE and SFG Rickettsiae. 46 Ixodes persulcatus collected from Helongjiang province were determined positive, with rates as 6.5%, 10.8% and 34.8%, respectively including 1 (1/46) coinfected with HGE and B. burgdorferi sensu lato. 2 of 922 ticks collected from Beijing were detected positive with B. burgdorferi sensu lato. Among 283 groups of Haemaphysalis yeni ticks (3/group) and from 38 rodent samples collected from Ninghua county of Fujian province HCE and B. burgdorferi sensu lato and SFG Rickettsiae were detected. Out of them, 25 groups were positive with EC and the minimal positive rate was 3.8% while 21 rodent samples were positive with EC with a positive rate of 56.4%. 2 ticks and 1 rodent sample were detected positive with EC and spotted fever group., Conclusion: Coinfection of HGE and B. burgdorferi sensu lato or spotted fever group Richi did exist in Ixodes persulcatus collected from Inner Mogolia autonomous region and Heilongjiang province. Coinfection of EC and spotted fever group Richi was found in the ticks and rodents collected from Fujian province.

Objective: To study the feature and difference of severity of pathological changes in different areas of the middle ear cleft with otitis media (OM) and its pathogenesis and clinical significance., Methods: The temporal bone slides of 290 ears with OM with inflammatory effusion had been studied histopathologically under microscope. The histopathological change in different areas has been comparatively observed. 256 cases with various forms of chronic otitis media (COM) have been studied with high-resolution CT, and 189 cases with COM were observed during operation, stressing on the difference of pathogical changes in different areas., Results: In the process of OM, the mucosa of the eustachian tube almost has no inflammatory pathological changes, and in hemi-anterior and infer-posterior mesotympanum area was much lightly and reversible pathological change. But the pathological changes in the ossicular chain area was much more serious than the other two areas, and was irreversible or intractable such as granulation tissue, cholesteatoma etc., Conclusions: Because of the historical and anatomical distinction difference between anterior and posterior area of the middle ear cleft and blockage of internal ventilation/draining system in process of OM, the stagnancy of inflammatory effusion and formation of granulation tissue in posterior area are the main cause leading to the phenomenon of regionally pathological difference in different areas of the middle ear clefts.

Background: The gefitinib compassionate-use programme has enabled >39,000 patients worldwide to receive gefitinib ('Iressa', ZD1839) treatment. This paper reports the outcome of gefitinib treatment in Chinese patients who enrolled into the 'Iressa' Expanded Access Programme (EAP) at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital., Methods: Thirty-one patients with advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that had progressed after prior systemic chemotherapy were eligible to receive oral gefitinib 250 mg/day as part of the EAP. Treatment was continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred. The impact of treatment on disease-related symptoms and quality of life (QoL) was evaluated with the Chinese versions of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-LC13)., Results: Gefitinib was well tolerated. Adverse events (AEs) were generally mild (grade 1 and 2) and reversible. The most frequent AEs were acneform rash and diarrhoea. Only one patient withdrew from the study due to a drug-related AE. The objective tumour response rate was 35.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 18.6-52.3); median progression-free survival was 5.5 months (95% CI, 1.6 to 9.4); median overall survival was 11.5 months (95% CI, 5.6 to 17.3). The QoL response rates for five functioning scales and global QoL varied from 56-88%. The main symptom response rates varied from 44-84%. QoL and symptom response were correlated with objective tumour response., Conclusion: Gefitinib demonstrated safety and efficacy as monotherapy in this series of Chinese patients with advanced NSCLC and was also associated with remarkable symptom relief and improvement in QoL. Although clinical trials are needed to confirm these positive findings, the data suggest that treatment with gefitinib may be beneficial for some Chinese patients who do not respond to chemotherapy and have poor prognosis.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of monitoring the neural stem cells implanted into the brain by the technique of labeling with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)., Methods: Neural stem cells were isolated from the cerebral cortex of newborn Wister rats and cultured. SPIO particles and poly-L-lysine were added into the medium to be co-cultured foe one hour. After the formation of neurospheres, Prussian blue staining was conducted and transmission electron microscopy was used to identify the iron particles in these neural stem cells. Sixteen adult female Wistar rats underwent transplantation of labeled neural stem cells into the right side of brain and non-labeled cells were transplanted into the contralateral part as controls. 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7 weeks after the transplantation, MRI examination with the scanning sequences of SE T2WI, FSE T2WI, and GRE T2 * respectively was conducted on the brains of the rats. Four rats at each time point were killed and their brains were taken out to undergo HE staining and Prussian blue staining to track the presence of labeled-cells., Results: After the addition of SPIO the neurospheres continued to proliferate and differentiate normally. Electron microscopy showed vacuolar structures of different sizes under the cytoplasma membrane within and outside which there were high-density iron particles. Prussian blue staining showed numerous blue stained particles in the cytoplasm of the labeled cells. Remarkable low signal change was seen in the right brain transplanted with labeled cells, especially in the condition of scanning sequence of GRET2. Such change could be seen up to 7 weeks after the transplantation. No signal change was found in the left brain., Conclusion: SPIO labeling technique is useful in monitoring the outcome of transplanted neural stem cells.

We described 3 cases of advanced bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC), in whom once-daily treatment with 250 mg Gefitinib (Iressa) demonstrated remarkable antitumor effects. Gefitinib may produce dramatic clinical responses when administered to patients with poor performance status who had received heavy platinum/docetaxel-based prior chemotherapy.

Objective: In order to provide pathologic reference for therapeutic rationale, the pathological changes of the pulmonary vasculature in patients with pulmonary atresia with ventricular defect and patent ductus arteriosus were observed by contrast with normal control group., Methods: Lung biopsies were taken in the operation in 10 children suffered from pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect associated with patent ductus arteriosus (PA group). Autopsy specimens were obtained from 10 children died of non-cardiovascular diseases as normal control group. The tissue was fixed with buffered formalin, routinely prepared by impregnated in wax. Sections were stained by hematoxylin-eosin, Weigert's elastic stain counter-stained by van Gieoson's method. Seven parameters were obtained including percentage of media thickness (MT%), percentage of media section area (MS%), numbers of vascular per square centimeter (VPSC), mean alveolar number (MAN), mean linear intercept (MLI), proportion of parenchyma area in total area (PPA), and alveolar/vascular ratio per unit area (AVR) by a computer image processor by quantitative analysis., Results: There were significant difference between the two groups in MAN, VPSC, and AVR (P < 0.05). VPSC was significantly lower in PA group than in control group (P < 0.01). Other parameters had no significant difference. The mean alveolar diameter had an increased trend in PA group, although there was no significant difference. MS% of nearly 50% patients was closed to the normal value in PA group. The shape of pulmonary arteriole was irregular. There were few muscular arteries in a field of vision., Conclusions: The density of muscular arteries decreases in patients with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus, but percentage of media thickness and percentage of media section area of pulmonary arterioles are close to the normal value. Diminished flow in pulmonary circulation has a significant effect on numbers of pulmonary arterioles per square centimeter that impact the selection of surgical method and the effect of operation because of the reduction pulmonary arterioles. The decrease of mean alveolar number results in compensatory enlargement of alveolar diameter. The impaired lung development is a major cause of abnormal lung function. Feasible and earlier operation, which can increase pulmonary flow and promote development of pulmonary vasculature will be helpful to restore lung function.

Experimental results are obtained for a single degree of freedom prototype next generation exercise machine that aims to maximize the user's power output and ensure passivity with the user. In an effort to optimize the user's power expenditure, the desired velocity trajectory is developed that seeks the unknown user-dependent optimal velocity setpoint. A numerical extremum-seeking algorithm is utilized to seek the optimal velocity setpoint while ensuring the trajectory is sufficiently differentiable. To track the reference trajectory and to ensure passivity, a nonlinear controller is utilized.

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and treatment of hematogenous disseminated tuberculosis., Methods: Twenty-seven cases of hematogenous disseminated tuberculosis diagnosed by autopsy from 1961 to 2000 were retrospectively analyzed., Results: Among these patients the disease was acute in 22 cases (including 3 non-reactive) and chronic in 5. Twenty cases (74%) were misdiagnosed before death, most of which were due to concomitant with or misdiagnosed as connective tissue disease, hematological disease or tumor. 63% of the cases had long-term use of corticosteroids or repeated chemotherapy. Most cases showed atypical clinical manifestations and chest X-ray lesions. The positive rate of tuberculin skin test and sputum for smear were low. Autopsy showed that all cases had active lung tuberculosis and the major extra-pulmonary organs involved were liver, spleen and lymph nodes., Conclusion: Unaware of the risk for tuberculosis among immune compromised patients was the main reason for misdiagnosis and corticosteroid abuse was common. Physician should be alert to the occurrence of hematogenous disseminated tuberculosis, especially in immune compromised patients with long-term fever and systemic injury. Direct smear and cultural examination as well as newer diagnostic approaches with sputum and tissue may be useful for a rapid and correct diagnosis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the properties of a single-chain bispecific antibody (scBsAb) against human ovarian carcinoma and to develop this agent for potential use in human ovarian cancer., Methods: ELISA and FACS were performed to determine the antigen-binding properties of the scBsAb. Its abilities to retarget the pre-activated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to human ovarian carcinoma cell line SKOV3 cells and mediate their lysis in vitro were performed by a colorimetric MTT-based assay. Nude mice bearing human SKOV3 tumor xenografts were used to study the distribution and imaging of the scBsAb. Its pharmacokinetics in vivo was also studied in naive BALB/c mice., Results: The scBsAb showed nearly identical ligand binding properties at each site relative to the individual monovalent single-chain antibody prototype molecules and could bridge SKOV3 and human T cell line Jurkat, which expresses CD3 antigens on the surface of cells together. It can also retarget the pre-activated PBMCs to SKOV3 cells and mediated their lysis in vitro effectively. Imaging and distribution study demonstrated that the antibody could target the tumor. Its elimination in vivo corresponded to second-order kinetics with a terminal half-life time (t(1/2)beta) of 7.7 h., Conclusion: This scBsAb with easy production and reasonable blood retention time should be developed for potential use in human ovarian cancer.

Aim: Angiogenesis is an important step in the growth of solid malignant tumors. A number of angiogenic factors have been found such as transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). However, the roles of TGF-beta1 and VEGF in gastrointestinal carcinogenesis are still unclear. This study was to investigate the expressions of TGF-beta1 and VEGF in gastrointestinal tract malignant tumors, as well as their association with microvessel density (MVD). At the same time, we also observed the localization of TGF-beta1 and its receptor CD105 in gastric malignant tumors., Methods: The expressions of TGF-beta1 and CD105 were detected in 55 fresh specimens of gastric carcinoma and VEGF and CD105 in 44 fresh specimens of colorectal carcinoma by immunohistochemical staining (S-ABC). TGF-beta1 and CD105 in 55 gastric carcinoma tissues on the same slide were detected by using double-stain Immunohistochemistry (DS-ABC)., Results: Among the 55 cases of gastric carcinoma tissues, 30 were positive for TGF-beta1 (54.55%). The MVD of TGF-beta1 strong positive group (++ approximately +++ 23.22 +/- 5.8) was significantly higher than that of weak positive group (+17.56 +/- 7.2) and negative group (- 17.46 +/- 3.9) (q=4.5, q=5.3207, respectively, P<0.01). In the areas of high expression of TGF-beta1, MVD and the expression of CD105 were also high. Among the 44 cases of colonic carcinoma tissues, 26 were positive for VEGF (59.1%). The expressions of both VEGF and CD105 (MVD) were related with the depth of invasion (F=5.438, P<0.05; F=4.168, P=0.05), lymph node metastasis (F=10.311, P<0.01; F=20.282, P<0.01) and Dukes stage (F=6.196, P<0.01; F=10.274, P<0.01), but not with histological grade (F=0.487, P>0.05). There was a significant correlation between the expression of VEGF and CD105 (MVD) (r=0.720, P<0.01)., Conclusion: Over-expression of TGF-beta1 and VEGF acts as stimulating factors of angiogenesis in gastrointestinal tumors. CD105, as a receptor of TGF-beta1, can regulate the biological effect of TGF-beta1 in tumor angiogenesis. MVD marked by CD105 is more suitable for detecting newborn blood vessels.

Objective: In order to find out the current situation of tick-borne spotted fever in the area of Changbai mountain, Jilin province., Methods: In this study, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was developed with primers R. rOmpA 190.70p and R. rOmpA 190.701n designed on the basis of rOmpA gene, which is specific for examining spotted fever group Rickttsiaes (SFGR). Six hundred nighty-three ticks were tested and a positive PCR product amplified from D. silvarum specimen (named JL-02) was cloned and sequenced., Results: The SFGR DNA was detected from D. silvarum, Haemaphysalis concinna with the positive rates were 53.81% and 7.41% respectively. Its nucleotide sequence of 587 bp rOmpA and derived amino-acids showed 100.00% similarity with nucleotide sequence of DnS 14 and 99.00% with DnS 28 from the Former Soviet Union according to the result of BLUST and CLUSTAL, which was differential from the DNA sequences of strains previously detected in China., Conclusion: The natural focus of tick-borne spotted fever did exist in the area of Changbai mountain. The DNA sequence of SFGR was similar to that of DnS 14, which was first reported in China.

An ultrathin overlayer of MgO on TiO2 is shown to drastically improve the stability of solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell using CuI as a hole conductor in addition to solar energy conversion efficiency.

Objective: To make an inquiry into method of typing of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS)., Method: Average monthly rates were calculated on the basis of data from 1995 to 1999, then cluster analysis was carried out to type out endemic areas., Results: Compared with the results of 36 surveillance spots from 1980 to 1992, twenty-four surveillance spots had the same results (66.7%). Twenty-three surveillance spots had the same results with the original data in 1999 (82.1%)., Conclusion: HFRS incidences increased in spring or in summer, but decreased in autumn or in winter. Cluster analysis seemed to be a supplementary method in distinguishing the epidemic types for HFRS.

A total of 1,345 Ixodes persulcatus ticks collected from northeastern China were investigated for the presence of Anaplasma phagocytophila and Borrelia burgdorferi by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sixty-two (4.6%) ticks were positive for A. phagocytophila and 454 (33.8%) were positive for B. burgdorferi. Seven (0.5%) were coinfected with both agents. Sequence analysis of 919-basepair PCR amplicons revealed three types of A. phagocytophila. Type 1 was identical to the published sequences of A. phagocytophilas responsible for human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE). The other two variants differed from the HGE agent sequence at one and four positions, respectively. These findings imply that infection with A. phagocytophila poses a potential health threat to both humans and animals in northeastern China, and that ehrlichiosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of febrile patients with a history of tick bite, particularly when clinical manifestations are atypical for Lyme disease.

Objective: To investigate the association between the genetic polymorphisms of VDR gene and susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis., Methods: Case-control study was conducted. PCR-RFLP technique was used to detect the C/T polymorphism in VDR gene. Information on related factors of tuberculosis was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses were conducted with SPSS software package., Results: A sample of 76 cases and 171 controls was studied. The genotype frequencies of VDR-FF, VDR-Ff and VDR-ff were 38.2%, 44.7%, 17.1% and 52.6%, 40.9%, 6.4% respectively. VDR-ff was significantly overrepresented in case group, the OR (95% CI) was 3.668 (1.483 - 9.071) when comparing with FF genotype. The significant association remained after adjusting BCG immunization and smoking, the OR (95% CI) was 3.036 (1.117 - 8.253)., Conclusion: The VDR-ff genotype might be associated with the susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis in Chinese Han population.

Objective: To analyze the spatial distribution of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in China by geographic information system, and to draw up a map on HRFS risk areas., Methods: A set of database was set up using the information collected and linked to electronic maps of China in a software ArcGIS 8.01 from 41 HFRS surveillance sites during 1995 - 1998. A HFRS spatial distribution model was developed using inverse distance weighted interpolation of ArcGIS's spatial analysis method. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in each HFRS surveillance site was extracted from SPOT4 satellite vegetation imagery. Correlation analysis was performed through SPSS 10.0 to analyze the association between NDVI and HFRS incidence, HFRS risk areas were mapped under different colors., Results: Spatial distribution model from HFRS surveillance sites showed that HFRS foci mainly presented in the Heilongjiang River drainage, the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and the Jinghang grant Canal-Huaihe River drainage. It was consistent with HFRS distribution map derived from national infectious disease reporting system. Correlation analysis indicated that HFRS incidence rates were significantly associated with NDVI (r = 0.417, P < 0.01). The HFRS risk areas was mapped according to NDVI of each surveillance site., Conclusion: It is promising to apply GIS technology in predication of the distribution of HFRS by establishing this prediction model.

Based on the sol-gel method, nanosized SnO2 material was prepared, and its structure and properties were studied by XRD, UV and Raman spectra. The XRD result indicated that the SnO2 particles had an ideal nanosize. The diameter of SnO2 particles increased with raising the temperature. The Raman spectrum indicated that the SnO2 nanometer material annealed at low temperature had a large number of O-empties. The UV spectra showed that the sample had stable absorption properties although the particle size changed greatly in the annealed range of 300-500 degrees C. These properties might be utilized in enhancing the performance of SnO2 gas-sensitive devices.

N- and C-half molecules containing a single iron-binding site were simultaneously obtained from trypsin digest of iron-saturated pig transferrin. The activities of the pig serum transferrin and of its N- and C-half molecules to bind the human placental membrane transferrin receptor were compared. The results indicate that the receptor-binding site of pig transferrin may be located at the C-half molecule of the transferrin.

Phosphotungstic acid (PW(12)) and 1,10-diaminodecane (1,10-DAD) molecules have been alternatively assembled on 3-aminopropyltriethyoxysilane modified quartz or silicon substrate to form multicomposite mutilayer thin films by the molecular deposition technique. Thus-obtained films were characterized by UV-visible, XRD, X-ray reflection (XRR), and XPS spectra. Results show that the layer-by-layer self-assembly of PW(12) and 1,10-DAD leads to a well-ordered superlattice-layered structure with a d-spacing of 3.19 nm, which exhibits extremely exciting photochromic properties. Based on the experimental data, a presumable interlayer structural model has also been suggested. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

Aim: To study the change of intracellular [Ca2+]i and pH in cultured neurons after fluid percussion injury, and the therapeutic effect of drugs., Methods: The neurons of Sprague Dawley rats were cultured for 8-14 days, then treated them with fluid percussion injury (2.5 kPa, 20 ms). Alterations of [Ca2+]i and pH in single neural cells following fluid percussion injury were measured by a laser scanning confocal microscope. After being injured for several hours the cultured neurons were treated with nimodipine or D-(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (D-AP-5). Two hours later, the effects of drugs on intracellular [Ca2+]i and pH were studied., Results: The Intracellular [Ca2+]i increased quickly after brain injury and reached peak in 12 hours. It then decreased gradually and became normal at 48 hours. The pH decreased slowly, reached minimum in 12 hours, and then kept at a lower level. It did not recover normal at 48 hours. Nimodipine and D-AP-5 decreased significantly the ascension of [Ca2+]i and the descent of pH. But nimodipine and D-AP-5 must be given within 10 hours after injury for a good therapeutic effect., Conclusion: According to the change of intracellular [Ca2+]i and pH, early use of nimodipine and D-AP-5, will get a better therapeutic effect.

A total of 372 adult Ixodes persulcatus ticks were collected from vegetation in a forest area of Heilongjiang Province in northeastern China, where Lyme disease is known to be endemic. The ticks were examined for the presence of granulocytic ehrlichiae by heminested PCR with primers derived from the 16S rRNA gene. Of 310 ticks obtained from the Dahe forestry farm, two pools (each containing 5 ticks) were found positive, with a minimum infection rate of 0.6%. Ehrlichial DNA was also detected in one female (1.6%) of 62 ticks collected from the Yulin forestry farm. The overall minimum infection rate of the 372 I. persulcatus adults was 0.8%. The nucleotide sequences of 919-bp PCR products from the three positive tick specimens were identical to each other and very closely related to the members of the Ehrlichia phagocytophila genogroup. This is the first identification of granulocytic ehrlichiae in ticks in Asia and the first report of infection in I. persulcatus anywhere.

A total of 717 ticks collected from southern China were examined by nested PCR for the presence of Ehrlichia chaffeensis. Sixteen (55. 2%) of 29 adult Amblyomma testudinarium ticks and 28 (11.7%) of 240 adult and at least 4.2% of 215 nymphal (pooled specimens) Haemaphysalis yeni ticks tested positive. Four other species of ticks were negative. Selected positive amplicons were confirmed by DNA sequencing.

Aim: To study the binding characteristics of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) receptors on rat hepatic membranes., Methods: 125I-PP suitable to study interaction between ligand and receptors were prepared. 125I-porcine PP and 125I-duck PP were used to study PP receptor binding in the controlled conditions., Results: The binding of 125I-porcine PP to receptors on rat hepatic membranes was time- and temperature-dependent. The specific binding of 125I-porcine PP was inhibited by unlabeled porcine PP in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas duck PP was only partially inhibited in the high concentration (> 500 nmol.L-1). Scatchard analysis produced a curvilinear plot, suggesting multiple affinity binding sites, i.e., high-affinity and low-affinity with dissociation constants (Kd) 5.4 and 158 nmol.L-1, respectively., Conclusion: Rat hepatic membranes possessed specific PP receptors and porcine PP binding activity was much higher than that of duck PP.

A MT-II gene targeting vector--pMT-II6.7 with 6.7kb sequences homolog to mMT-II and its flanking region has been transfected into Mespu22 with electroporation. We have got 26 positive clones from 104 G418 and Ganc clones with PCR method. From the karyotype analysis, we found two clones with 84% and 88% normal karyotype. They are clone 5-2 and 8-4. Using Southern analysis, we confirm that the two clones are homologous recombinants. These cell lines still have the pluropotential ability to differentiate both in vitro and in vivo. Now we have got a chimera mouse with cells from clone 8-4.

This paper describes the preparation and biological activity of an insulin analogue in which the B1-3 sequence (Phe-Val-Asn) of insulin is substituted by Ala-Ala-Lys. [B(1)Ala, B(2)Ala, B(3)Lys]-Insulin retains full in vivo activity and receptor binding activity as insulin, but its lipogenesis activity and immunoactivity are 70 % and 0.88 % of those of insulin respectively. The possible contribution of the N-terminus of B-chain of insulin to the structure and function of insulin is discussed.

Nanoparticulate TiO2-stearate Langmuir-Blodgett-type monolayers and multilayers were directly obtained by using TiO2 hydrosol as the subphase. The surface pressure-versus-surface area isotherms showed that the monolayer could be compressed to a mean molecular area of 0.25 nm2. The monolayer was transferred onto a CaF2 or Si substrate at a dipping speed of 18 cm/min and surface pressure of 25 mN/m. It exhibited Y-type multilayer films over the range investigated (1-30 layers) with a transfer ratio of 1.0 &plusmn; 0.1. FTIR transmission spectra and linear infrared dichroic spectra provided evidence of the formation of a stable organic/inorganic alternating multilayer with nanoparticulate TiO2 between the organic monolayers. There is only slight absorption in the range of the C;equals;O stretching vibration band of the carboxylic group with the 3- and 6-nm TiO2 nanoparticles. This means that TiO2 particles are packed closely; i.e., the surface coverage is very high. A possible structure consists of layers of nanoparticles in close-packed form with two stearate ion layers inbetween. But it can be seen that there are some carboxylic groups (1700 cm-1) not connected to the 20-nm TiO2 nanoparticle. Electron microscopic (TEM) images of TiO2-stearate monolayers show that high-coverage monolayers were obtained when the surface pressure increased to 25 mN/m and the dipping speed to 18 cm/min. Copyright 1997Academic Press

Aim: To investigate the relationship between lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity or LDH isoenzyme patterns and the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer., Methods: Activities of tissue LDH and LDH isoenzyme patterns in 16 patients with colorectal cancer were assayed using spectrophotometric procedures and agarose gel electrophoresis, respectively., Results: The total and specific activities of LDH were significantly higher in colorectal cancer tissues than those in adjacent noncancerous tissues (P < 0.001). The LDH isoenzyme pattern was also different from that in the control. The percentage of LDH5 doubled and the ratio of LDH4 + LDH5/LDH1 + LDH2 was 3.6 ± 1.4 in cancer tissue, significantly greater than in the control., Conclusions: The increased LDH activity in colorectal cancer tissues resulted mainly from the increased LDH5, suggesting that the alteration of LDH activity and isoenzyme patterns were related to the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer.

Purpose: To study the value of partial splenic embolization (PSE) for the treatment of hypersplenism in patients undergoing embolization of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)., Methods: Transcatheter hepatic arterial embolization (THAE) combined with PSE was performed in 30 patients with HCC complicating liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and hypersplenism. Gelfoam sponge was used as the embolic material for PSE and limited to 100-150 pieces., Results: More than 50% of splenic parenchyma was infarcted in 27 patients. Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were corrected by PSE in 25 of 27 patients with hypersplenism. In 26 patients with esophageal varices, including 5 patients with bleeding, no rebleeding occurred during a 6-17 month follow-up. Hypersplenism was not corrected in 2 of 3 patients whose infarcted splenic parenchyma was less than 50%. No splenic abscesses or other severe complications were observed. Of the 30 patients treated, 19 are still alive after 1 year., Conclusions: THAE combined with PSE is a safe and effective measure for patients with HCC.

B9Ser of insulin B chain was substituted by Glu using site-directed mutagenesis to obtain a fast-acting insulin-[B9Glu] human insulin. The receptor binding capacity and in vivo biological activity of [B9Glu] human insulin are 21% and 40% as those of porcine insulin respectively.

Purpose: To assess the usefulness of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and expandable metallic stent (EMS) placement for treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS)., Methods: Thirty-two patients with BCS were treated by PTA alone or by PTA and EMS placement. Among the 32 patients, a membranous obstruction was found in 24 and a segmental stenosis or occlusion in 8 patients. The follow-up period for PTA was 38-68 months (mean 52.2 months); for EMS it was 20-36 months (mean 24.3 months)., Results: Twenty-one patients underwent PTA as the primary treatment. Of these, one patient died of disseminated intravascular coagulation shortly after the procedure; 20 had good to excellent initial angiographic and clinical results. Of the 20, restenosis or reocclusion developed in 10 patients (48%), all before 27 months; 8 patients (38%) became symptomatic, and 2 remained symptom-free for a total recurrent obstruction rate of 50%. The EMS group of 17 patients included 11 patients who underwent primary stenting and 6 patients with secondary stenting after recurrence following primary PTA; restenosis was demonstrated in only 2 patients (12%)., Conclusions: We conclude that PTA alone produces excellent short-term results and about 50% sustained patency after 2 years in patients with BCS; therefore it should remain the procedure of first choice. Stents should be reserved for primary or secondary PTA failures.

The receptor binding properties with human placental membrane (HPM) and the in vitro biological activity of an insulin analogue, [B1-Ala, B2-Ala]-insulin were investigated in detail and compared with those of insulin. It was found that the binding of (125)I-[B1-Ala, B2-Ala]-insulin and (125)I-insulin to HPM was time dependent reaching equilibrium after 6min at 37 degrees in the presence of bacitracin with an equilibrium maximum binding of 6.44 fmol/mg protein for [B1-Ala, B2-Ala]-insulin and 3.47 fmol/mg protein for insulin The half time (T1/2) to reach equilibrium was 19 seconds for [B1-Ala, B2-Ala]-insulin and 25 seconds for insulin. [B1-Ala, B2-Ala]-insulin and insulin competed with specific (125)I-[B1-Ala, B2-Ala]-insulin in a dose-dependent manner. From IC(50), the receptor binding activity of [B1-Ala, B2-Ala]-insulin was 139.6% compared with that of insulin. Scatchard analysis revealed that the receptor association constants of [B1-Ala, B2-Ala]-insulin in HPM at 4 degrees were 5.88x10(8)L/mol and 7.63x10(5)L/mol respectively, while those of insulin were 4.83x10(8)L/mol and 3.39x10(5)L/mol respectively. The in vitro activity of [B1-Ala, B2-Ala]-insulin was 130% of that of insulin in terms of lipogenesis in rat adipocytes.

A new extraction--frequency metric method has been proposed for the determination of ephedrine, which can not be determined by the conventional extraction--weighing method due to its volatility. The method is based on extraction of the free alkaloid followed by measuring the frequency shift of a specially constructed ring--coated piezoelectric crystal at room temperature. The frequency shift is in linear relationship with the content of ephedrine hydrochloride over a range 0.05-1.2 micrograms with a correlation coefficient of 0.999 and a detection limit of 0.02 micrograms. Methods for the assay of ephedrine hydrochloride tablet and nasal solution have been proposed.

A new measurement technique has been proposed and applied to the determination of chlorpheniramine as an example of its application. It is based on the extraction of free chlorpheniramine into carbon tetrachloride after neutralization with a basic agent, followed by measurement of the frequency change of the specially designed ring-coated piezoelectric sensor after evaporation of the extractant from the crystal surface. The frequency change is proportional to the chlorpheniramine amount in the range 0.025-1.2 microgram. The method has been applied to the determination of chlorpheniramine maleate in pharmaceutical preparations.

The measurement of 13 items in the face and nose of 220 young adults (110 males and 110 females) of the Han nationality between the ages of 18 and 21 years has been done in the Henan Province of China. The means and standard deviations have been obtained, and the significant differences in many items between males and females have been proved. Some items influencing outer nasal shape have been analyzed. The correlations between nose height, nose length, and morphologic facial height and physiognomic facial height have been discussed. The ratio and amount of nasal breadth to facial breadth and nasal breadth to interocular breadth have been compared and analyzed, and the differences among the different races and between the sexes have been explained.

A new method for the rapid determination of microgram and submicrogram amounts of pentoxyverine citrate has been suggested using a ring-coated piezoelectric quartz crystal in combination with the neutralization extraction technique. The detection limit is 0.02 microgram. Frequency shift is directly proportional to the pentoxyverine citrate concentration in the range of 0.05-1.6 micrograms, with a correlation coefficient of 0.999 and a coefficient of variation of 2.3%. The new method suggests a number of advantages over the classical neutralization-extraction method.

The molecular basis of the inhibition of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) replication by purified recombinant alpha interferon (IFN-alpha A/D) in human fibroblast GM2767A cells was examined. A saturating concentration of IFN-alpha A/D inhibited infectious VSV yield by about four to five log10. By use of the VSV mutant tsG41, which is competent in RNA transcription but defective in RNA replication at 40 degrees C, it was shown that IFN-alpha A/D treatment significantly inhibited primary viral protein synthesis. However, the apparent IFN-induced inhibition of VSV protein synthesis was due primarily to a reduction in the accumulation of VSV primary transcripts in IFN-alpha A/D treated GM2767A cells rather than to a direct effect on translation per se. The IFN-induced reduction in VSV primary genome expression was detectable after only 1 hour of IFN treatment; actinomycin D treatment of GM2767A cells prior to IFN-alpha A/D treatment blocked the establishment of the IFN-induced inhibition of VSV. In contrast to the results obtained with GM2767A cells, IFN-alpha A/D produced no detectable effect on the accumulation of VSV primary transcripts in human amnion U cells even though VSV primary protein synthesis and infectious virus yield were significantly reduced. In summary, the principal cause of the IFN-alpha induced inhibition of VSV replication in protein P1/eIF-2 alpha kinase-deficient human fibroblast GM2767A cells appears to be at or prior to primary transcript accumulation; thus, the antiviral mechanisms of IFN-alpha in GM2767A cells is fundamentally different from the IFN-alpha induced translation inhibition observed in kinase-sufficient human amnion U cells.