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Dielectronic recombination (DR) rate coefficients for carbon-like 40Ca14+ forming nitrogen-like 40Ca13+ have been measured using the electron–ion merged-beam technique at the heavy-ion storage ring CSRm at the Institute of Modern Physics in Lanzhou, China. The measured DR rate coefficients in the energy range from 0 to 92 eV cover most of the DR resonances associated with 2s22p2 → 2s22p2 and 2s22p2 → 2s2p3 core transitions (ΔN = 0). Theoretical calculations of the DR cross sections were carried out by using two different state-of-the-art atomic theoretical techniques, multiconfiguration Breit–Pauli (MCBP) code AUTOSTRUCTURE and relativistic configuration interaction code FAC, to compare with the experimental rate coefficients. The theoretical calculations agree with the experimental results at collision energy higher than 10 eV. However, significant discrepancies of resonance energies and strengths can be found at collision energy below 8 eV. Temperature-dependent plasma recombination rate coefficients were derived from the measured DR rate coefficients in the energy range from 0.1 to 1000 eV and compared with the recommended atomic data from the literature. The theoretical data of Gu et al. and Zatsarinny et al. are 30% lower than the experimental results at the temperatures of photoionized plasmas, but have a very good agreement at the temperatures of collisionally ionized plasmas. Other previously published theoretical data of Jacobs et al. and Mazzotta et al. by using Burgess formula and LS-coupling calculations significantly underestimate the plasma rate coefficients in the low temperature range. The present results comprise a set of benchmark data suitable for astrophysical modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the influencing factors and the impact of artificial liver treatment on the prognosis and survival of patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Methods: Clinical data from 201 cases with ACLF from January 2016 to December 2019 was retrospectively analyzed. The survival rate was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, the log-rank test of univariate analysis, and the multivariate analysis of the stepwise Cox regression forward method. Results: The median survival time of patients was 6 months, and the survival rates at 6, 9, and 12 months were 51.2%, 38.3%, and 29.9%, respectively. In univariate analysis, age, presence or absence of hypertension and upper gastrointestinal bleeding, treatment method, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, and cholinesterase were associated with prognosis ( P < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis results showed that MELD score was the main factor affecting the 1-year prognosis of ACLF patients ( P = 0.002). Artificial liver treatment was beneficial for the 1-year prognosis of ACLF patients aged < 50 years or with a MELD score of ≥20 ( P < 0.05 ). The relative risk ratio (RR) of mortality was 2.55 times higher in patients with advanced age (≥50 years old) than that of younger patients ( P < 0.001). Regression analysis was performed using age as a stratification factor, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding was related to the prognosis of younger patients, while choline esterase was related to the prognosis of advanced age. Regression analysis after stratified MELD score showed that age and hypertension were related to the prognosis of patients with MELD score < 20, and treatment method and age were related to the prognosis of patients with MELD score≥20. Conclusion: Artificial liver treatment is beneficial for the 1-year prognosis of ACLF patients. Age, MELD score, hypertension, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding are independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of ACLF patients.

Objective: To study prospectively the caries characteristics of the children who suffered severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) and received dental caries treatment under general anesthesia and to explore the related risk factors of caries recurrence after treatment. Methods: During December 2012 to August 2014, eighty-three children aged 2-4 years with S-ECC who underwent one caries treatment session under general anesthesia in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology participated in this study. Data of demographics, clinical characteristics, dietary and oral hygiene habits of the participants were collected before the treatment and 1-, 7- and 13-months after the treatment. All data were then analyzed to find out whether the factors were related to caries relapse. Results: Among the 70 children who completed 7-13 months follow-up, twenty-nine children (41%) remained caries-free and 41 children (59%) had a few caries recurrence during the observation period. All the teeth suffered different variation of caries recurrence except mandibular deciduous incisors. As for the types of caries recurrence after caries treatment under general anesthesia, the maxillary deciduous incisors usually showed secondary caries (new caries/secondary caries numbers were 1/12), the canines and first deciduous molars occurred both secondary and new caries (new caries/secondary caries numbers in canines were 12/6, in first deciduous molars were 16/12) and the second deciduous molars usually presented new caries (new caries/secondary caries numbers were 19/5). After treatment, the prone tooth surfaces of caries recurrence from high to low were: adjacent surfaces of deciduous molars (37 surfaces), occlusal surface of deciduous molars (28 surfaces), adjacent surfaces of deciduous canines (13 surfaces), buccal and lingual surfaces of deciduous molars (12 surfaces), labial and lingual surfaces of deciduous incisors (10 surfaces), labial and lingual surfaces of deciduous canines (8 surfaces) and adjacent surfaces of deciduous incisors (5 surfaces). There were no significant differences in the children's demographics and clinical characteristics between relapse and non-relapse groups ( P> 0.05). Patients in the relapse group had higher sugar intake frequencies than those in the non-relapse group at both 7- and 13-month follow-ups ( P< 0.05). Conclusions: Children of 2-4 years old with S-ECC have a high risk of caries recurrence after caries treatment under general anesthesia and need to recieve regular oral examination. During the follow-ups, the prevention and treatment of new and secondary caries of deciduous molars and secondary caries of deciduous incisors should be focused on. High frequency of sugar intake is an important risk factor of recurrent caries for children with S-ECC after caries treatment.

Objective: To investigate the current situation of insomnia in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and analyze the influencing factors of insomnia in the ACS patients, so as to provide information on the development of new strategies for the treatment of insomnia in ACS patients. Methods: This is a multicenter and prospective observational study. A total of 771 ACS patients who met the criteria were selected from March 2013 to June 2015. The baseline social demographic information, sleep quality questionnaire, general anxiety disorder scale-7(GAD-7),patient health questionnaire-9(PHQ-9), short-form 12 health survey questionnaire(SF-12), and enhancing recovery in coronary heart disease patients social inventory(ESSI) were completed within 7 days after admission. Logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the influencing factors of insomnia in ACS patients. Results: A total of 741 subjects with valid questionnaires were collected, including 510 males (68.8%) and 231 females (31.2%). Among them, 487 (65.7%) subjects had at least one insomnia symptom: 308 (41.6%) subjects had difficulty in falling asleep, 369 (49.8%) subjects were easy to wake at night, 116 (15.7%) subjects woke up earlier than they expected, 74 (10.0%) subjects experienced both woke up earlier and difficulty in falling asleep, and 53 (7.2%) subjects woke up earlier, woke up at night and had difficulty in falling asleep at the same time. Logistic regression analyses showed that before admission physical activity ( OR =0.636, 95% CI 0.411-0.984), depression ( OR =1.908, 95% CI 1.101-3.305) and low social support ( OR =0.278, 95% CI 1.198-3.301) were independent factors of insomnia in ACS patients. Conclusions: Nearly 2/3 ACS patients have symptoms of insomnia. Difficulty in falling asleep and easy to wake up at night are the most common manifestations. Physical activity, depression and social support independently are associated with insomnia.

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of serum α-enolase (ENO1) in the primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: From May 2012 to March 2017, 163 cases with liver diseases who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were admitted to the Infectious Diseases Department of the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University. Among them, 28 cases were of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 31 cases with liver cirrhosis (LC), 104 cases with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and 18 healthy volunteers (NC). Patient data and serum samples were collected and liver disease related indicators were measured to detect ENO1 levels with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The measured indicators were expressed in median. Mann-Whitney U nonparametric test was used to analyze the differences between the data. A Spearman's correlation analysis was used for bivariate correlation analysis. The sensitivity and specificity of ENO1 and alpha-fetoprotein in the diagnosis of liver cancer were analyzed by ROC curve. Results: Serum level of ENO1 in CHB group, LC group and HCC group was significantly higher than normal group. Serum level of ENO1 in HCC group was higher than CHB group ( P = 0.001) and LC group ( P < 0.01). Area under the curve (AUC) for serum ENO1 and alpha-fetoprotein were 0.782 (cut-off value 75.96, P = 0.000 1) and 0.800 (cut-off value 27.02, P = 0.000 1), respectively. There was a positive correlation between ENO1 and AFP ( P = 0.001). The combined detection had significantly improved the detection efficiency (AUC = 0.835). Serum ENO1 was statistically significant ( P < 0.05) in HCC tumor size (AUC = 0.663), tumor metastasis (AUC = 0.681), TNM stage (AUC = 0.710, stage I vs. II), and Edmondson grade (AUC = 0.685) ( P < 0.05) and the elevated levels of ENO1 had significantly reduced ( P < 0.05) the survival time. Conclusion: ENO1 can be a new candidate marker for the diagnosis of early stage HCC and its progression.

Objective: To observe the changes of sex hormone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels in young male patients with hyperthyroidism before and after antithyroid drug (ATD) treatment. Methods: Between January 2015 and July 2016, forty male patients with hyperthyroidism aged 19-52 years (with an median age of 33.1 years) were enrolled in the Department of Endocrinology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Blood samples were taken before treatment and at 1 month, 2 months, 3 months and 5 months after treatment to evaluate thyroid function, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone(T), free testosterone(FT), estradiol(E2), prolactin and SHBG. Results: A total of 40 patients were enrolled but only 35 patients completed the follow-up. The patients had high levels of thyroid function, SHBG and sex hormones before treatment. Before treatment, free thyroxine (FT(4)), free triiodothyronine (FT(3)), SHBG, LH, estradiol, testosterone and free testosterone was (0.30±0.12) pmol/L, (9.68±4.73) pmol/L, (146±111) nmol/L, (8.41±3.61) U/L, (19.9±7.7) pmol/L, (29.9±9.5) nmol/L and (0.24±0.08) nmol/L, respectively. After treatment, the level of triiodothyronine, thyroxine, FT(3) and FT(4) gradually decreased to normal (all P< 0.001). Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) gradually increased to normal ( P< 0.001). LH and estradiol levels gradually decreased (all P< 0.001). FSH decreased but the difference was not statistically significant. Prolactin did not change significantly. Testosterone and SHBG levels decreased significantly while the levels of free testosterone, free testosterone percentage (FT%), bio-available testosterone (BAT), bio-available testosterone percentage (BAT%), free androgen index (FAI) gradually increased and stabilized (all P< 0.001). The difference was not statistically significant between T/LH and E2/LH before and after treatment (all P> 0.05). However FT/LH gradually increased and its difference was statistically significant ( P< 0.001). Conclusion: The levels of LH, estradiol, testosterone and SHBG in male patients with hyperthyroidism significantly increased, while the free testosterone level decreased, but they all gradually returned to normal with the lowering of thyroid hormone levels during ATD treatment.

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment methods and prognosis of renal cell carcinoma associated with Xp11.2 translocation/TFE3 gene fusions (Xp11.2 tRCC). Methods: From January 2007 to February 2018, 48 patients were diagnosed with Xp11.2 tRCC at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital. The epidemiological features, treatment methods and long-term follow-up results were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Of the 48 patients, 20 cases were female and 28 cases were male, aged from 2 to 72 years. Gross hematuria and flank pain were the most frequent symptoms, which occurred on 14 cases and 8 cases respectively. The mean tumor size of 48 cases was (5.3±2.5)cm. Among the 34 cases who were classified as stageⅠ/Ⅱ, 14 cases received laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery(NSS)and 20 cases received radical nephrectomy(RN). The other 14 cases who were classified as stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ received RN but one case received target therapy. On univariate analysis, tumor diameter, adjuvant treatment, AJCC stage, lymph node metastasis and vein tumor thrombosis showed association with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) ( P <0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that AJCC stage ( P =0.023, 95% CI : 0.048-0.081)and vein tumor thrombosis ( P =0.046, 95% CI : 1.004-1.590)were independent prognostic factors of PFS. Conclusions: Xp11.2 tRCC mainly occurs in females. RN was the major method for Xp11.2 tRCC. However, NSS can also receive satisficed results for stage T1a case. High AJCC stage and the occurrence of vein tumor thrombosis indicated poor prognosis.

Objective: To compare the long-term dental treatment effects, oral health habits and oral-health-related qualities of life of children treated under general anesthesia (GA) and passive restraint (PR), respectively. Methods: Twenty seven 2 to 4-year-old children treated under GA and thirty four children treated under PR were recruited in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. Up to 2 years after the treatment, a follow up assessment was conducted. The data of general information, dental plaque level and the unplanned treatments were recorded and analyzed. The questionnaire of oral health habits and early childhood oral health impact scale (ECOHIS) for each child was also completed and analyzed. The survival rate and median survival time of the deciduous teeth were calculated. Multivariate analysis was performed by using Cox proportional hazard model. Results: Twenty-five children under GA and 32 under PR were finally included, with a total of 1 098 deciduous teeth. The postoperative dental plaque indicesin both GA and PR groups had significantly improved than that of before the treatments ( P= 0.019, P< 0.001). The oral health habits had also improved, and the improvement in PR group was more obvious than that in GA group. Totally 128 teeth (27.0%) appeared unplanned treatments in GA group and 232 teeth (37.2%) in PR group during the follow-ups. The new caries and recurrent caries in PR group were significantly more than that in GA group ( P< 0.001, P= 0.012). No significant differences were found between the two groups in restoration failure, secondary caries and endodontic diseases ( P= 0.129, P= 0.822, P= 0.642). However, the time of occurrence of endodontic disease and secondary caries in GA group were significantly longer than that in PR group ( P< 0.01, P< 0.001). The median survival time of teeth in GA group was 1 018 days comparing to 944 days in PR group. The difference was statistically significant ( P< 0.05). The survival rate was associated with such factors as decayed-missing-filled tooth (dmft), anterior or posterior teeth, feeding frequency, brushing habits and behavior management techniques. Conclusions: The long-term dental treatment effects of children treated under GA was significantly better than that of PR group. Continuous reinforcement of proper dietary and oral hygiene habits might help in maintaining the long-term treatment effect.

Objective: To reveal the involvement of molecules in the pathogenesis of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) by bioinformatics analyses., Methods: The microarray data of B-ALL were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and Qlucore Omics Explorer software was used to screen differentially expressed miRNA. Based on the differentially expressed miRNAs, we predicted the target genes, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) and transcription factors (TFs). Then we constructed the miRNAs-centered comprehensive regulatory network. In addition, we performed functional enrichment analysis to analyze the functions of target genes., Results: Of all the 15 differentially expressed miRNAs, 7 miRNAs were of overexpression, 8 miRNAs underexpressed. From the miRNAs comprehensive regulatory network, we found that hsa-miR-486-3p and hsa-miR-126 regulated a large number of target genes, hsa-miR-126 including target genes MYC. The hsa-miR-29a, hsa-miR-130a and hsa-miR-181c regu- lated a lot of lncRNAs containing X-inactive-specific transcript (XIST). The hsa-miR-181a-2, hsa-miR- 181b-2 and hsa-miR-663 were regulated by a host of TFs including caudal- related homeobox transcription fact2 (CDX2). Additionally, the target genes of has-miR-126 were enriched in Wnt pathways., Conclusions: The expression of hsa-miR-29a , hsa-miR-126 and has-miR-181 family were significantly different in B-ALL. Target gene of MYC, TFs of CDX2 and lncRNA of XIST may play important roles in the development of B-ALL, serving as a potential therapeutic target.

Introduction: Whether the incidence rate of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) between laparoscopic and open colorectal cancer surgery the same or not were under the debated without conclusion. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of DVT after laparoscopic or open colorectal cancer surgery by meta-analysis., Materials and Methods: The open published articles comparing the incidence of DVT after laparoscopic or open colorectal cancer were collected in the data bases of Medline, the Cochrane central register of controlled trials and CNKI. The relative risk (RR) was pooled by using random or fixed effect mode to evaluate the incidence of DVT between laparoscopic or open colorectal cancer surgery., Results: After searching the databases, 9 randomized clinical studies with 2606 colorectal cancer cases were included in this meta-analysis. The mean operation time was 201.8 ± 17.28 min with its range of 180.0-224.4 min in the laparoscopic surgery group and 148.1 ± 18.8 min with its range of 135.0-184.0 min in the open surgery group. The operation time for laparoscopic surgery group were significant lower than in the open surgery group (P < 0.05). The RR of DVT between the laparoscopy and open surgery groups was 0.71 with its 95% confidence interval of 0.35-1.45 (P = 0.35)., Conclusions: The operation time in laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery was statistical longer than in the open colorectal cancer surgery, but the DVT risk of the two surgery approach was not different according to this meta-analysis.

Objective: To observe the effect of transplantation of marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transfected with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on fracture healing of rats with diabetes and discuss the gene therapy for diabetic fracture., Methods: 60 8-week-old male Wistar rats weighing 180-200 g were divided into the control group and experimental group at random. All of them suffered from right tibia fracture following the model of diabetes induced by streptozotocin. BMSCs were transfected with Ad- IGF-1 and BMSCs of the appropriate group were transplanted to part of the fracture area. 6 rats were selected from each group at 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 weeks after the surgery. Local bone callus was stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) and IGF-1 in the bone callus and serum was tested., Results: Osteoid tissues formed at 3 weeks in the experimental group; mature lamellar bone formed at 7 weeks in the experimental group; fibrous bone callus was observed in the control group. IGF-1 in bone callus of the experimental group is increasing and significantly different from that of the control group (p < 0.05). Concentrations of IGF-1 in the serum of the two groups were increasing gradually from the first week. The control group reached its peak in the 5th week. The experimental group reached a high concentration in the 5th week and maintained a high concentration in the 7th week. The differences at various times between the two groups have statistical significance (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: Transplantation of BMSCs transfected with IGF-1 gene can promote fracture healing of rats with diabetes (Tab. 4, Fig. 1, Ref. 20).

Aims: To determine the magnitude of arm symptom-associated distress and quality of life in patients suffering from lymphedema after axillary dissection for breast cancer., Design and Methods: Two hundred and two breast cancer patients were interviewed, including 101 lymphedema cases and 101 controls who were matched in terms of surgery date, axillary radiotherapy and cancer stage. The FACT-B+4 quality-of-life instrument was used to assess breast, emotional, functional, physical, and social well-being. A self-devised Arm Symptom Distress scale was used to collect information about arm morbidities including swelling, pain, numbness or tingling, limitation of movement, infection; and their interference on daily life. Arm circumference at different levels was measured to determine the presence and severity of lymphedema. The association between lymphedema and quality of life was evaluated, controlling for patient demographics and clinical factors., Results: Compared with controls, individuals with lymphedema had a significantly worse score on FACT-B+4 and the Arm Symptom Distress scale. The score was significantly lower in five of the six domains of FACT-B+4, and significantly higher in both subscales of the Arm Symptom Distress scale. Patients with severe lymphedema had a significantly worse Symptom Severity sub-score on the Arm Symptom Distress scale than those with mild lymphedema., Conclusions: Among women who have undergone axillary dissection for breast cancer, lymphedema was associated with an inferior quality of life and a higher level of arm symptom-associated distress. Patients with severe lymphedema had more arm symptom-associated distress than those with mild lymphedema.

The prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) among 332 Hong Kong Chinese women with abnormal Papanicolaou smears were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The overall HPV positive rate was 44.3% with 18.6% (16/86) for normal/inflamed cervices, 36.4% (32/88) for condyloma, 64.7% (33/51) for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 (CIN 1), 37.9% (11/29) for CIN 2, 68.3 (41/60) for CIN 3, and 77.8% (14/18) for carcinoma. Double HPV infection was detected in 17 of the 147 positive samples, with a significantly higher proportion in patients with normal or inflamed cervices than those with CIN or carcinoma (31.3% vs 10.5%, P =.029). The six most commonly identified genotypes were HPV 16 (33.3%), HPV 58 (23.8%), HPV 11, 18, 31 (8.8% each), and HPV 33 (6.8%). The worldwide uncommon genotype HPV 58 was found to be the second most common genotype detected in patients with cervical carcinoma (6 of 18 patients). HPV 58 infection showed a significant association with CIN/carcinoma (odds ratio [OR] = 3.98; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.22-14.35) and a significant trend of increase in prevalence with increasing severity of cervical lesion (chi(2) = 5.84; P =.016). Among Hong Kong Chinese women with abnormal cervical cytology, the detection of HPV 58 carried a positive predictive value of 68.6% for a cervical lesion of CIN 1 or higher severity. The high prevalence of HPV 58 among Chinese women, particularly in patients with carcinoma, has an implication on the design of HPV detection methods and the development of vaccines., (Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora produces extracellular pectate lyase (Pel), polygalacturonase (Peh), cellulase (Cel), and protease (Prt). The concerted actions of these enzymes largely determine the virulence of this plant-pathogenic bacterium. E. carotovora subsp. carotovora also produces HarpinEcc, the elicitor of the hypersensitive reaction. We document here that KdgREcc (Kdg, 2-keto-3-deoxygluconate; KdgR, general repressor of genes involved in pectin and galacturonate catabolism), a homolog of the E. chrysanthemi repressor, KdgREch and the Escherichia coli repressor, KdgREco, negatively controls not only the pectinases, Pel and Peh, but also Cel, Prt, and HarpinEcc production in E. carotovora subsp. carotovora. The levels of pel-1, peh-1, celV, and hrpNEcc transcripts are markedly affected by KdgREcc. The KdgREcc- mutant is more virulent than the KdgREcc+ parent. Thus, our data for the first time establish a global regulatory role for KdgREcc in E. carotovora subsp. carotovora. Another novel observation is the negative effect of KdgREcc on the transcription of rsmB (previously aepH), which specifies an RNA regulator controlling exoenzyme and HarpinEcc production. The levels of rsmB RNA are higher in the KdgREcc- mutant than in the KdgREcc+ parent. Moreover, by DNase I protection assays we determined that purified KdgREcc protected three 25-bp regions within the transcriptional unit of rsmB. Alignment of the protected sequences revealed the 21-mer consensus sequence of the KdgREcc-binding site as 5'-G/AA/TA/TGAAA[N6]TTTCAG/TG/TA-3'. Two such KdgREcc-binding sites occur in rsmB DNA in a close proximity to each other within nucleotides +79 and +139 and the third KdgREcc-binding site within nucleotides +207 and +231. Analysis of lacZ transcriptional fusions shows that the KdgR-binding sites negatively affect the expression of rsmB. KdgREcc also binds the operator DNAs of pel-1 and peh-1 genes and represses expression of a pel1-lacZ and a peh1-lacZ transcriptional fusions. We conclude that KdgREcc affects extracellular enzyme production by two ways: (i) directly, by inhibiting the transcription of exoenzyme genes; and (ii) indirectly, by preventing the production of a global RNA regulator. Our findings support the idea that KdgREcc affects transcription by promoter occlusion, i.e., preventing the initiation of transcription, and by a roadblock mechanism, i.e., by affecting the elongation of transcription.

A rapid membrane-based serologic assay using the 38-kDa antigen from Mycobacterium tuberculosis for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) was evaluated with 201 patients with pulmonary TB, 67 patients with extrapulmonary TB, 79 Mycobacterium bovis BCG-vaccinated healthy controls, and 77 non-TB respiratory patients. The overall sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values were, respectively, 92, 92, 84, and 96% for sputum-positive TB patients; 70, 92, 87, and 79% for sputum-negative TB patients; and 76, 92, 80, and 90% for extrapulmonary-TB patients. Only 2% (1 of 44) of the healthy control BCG-vaccinated subjects gave weak positive signals in the assay, indicating that this rapid serological assay is a valuable aid in clinical diagnosis for both pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB.

By employing K-RRneo cells which were cybridized between rabbit reticulocytes and the K562 cells, the relationships between the denucleation and vimentin/lamin were studied. It was demonstrated that, accompanying with the differentiation and denucleation of K-RRneo cells, the expression of vimentin mRNA and lamin proteins were significantly reduced. These results testified our earlier conclusion drawn from the whole mount and Western blot studies, and would provide a basis for further elucidation of the mechanism of erythroblast denucleation.

To elucidate the role of the mammalian erythroid cytoplasmic factor on erythroid cell denucleation, cybridization of neo gene transferred rabbit reticulocytes with human K562 erythroleukemia cells was performed, the structure and composition of the nuclear matrix-intermediate filaments (NM-IF) system of the reticulocytes, K562 cells and the cybrids between them, the K-RRneo Cells, were studied by employing the techniques of selective extraction and whole mount electron microscopy. It was shown that regional condensation of nuclear matrix with a thinned nuclear lamina were seen in the cybrids, while the intermediate filaments exhibited a network pattern reorganization comparatively similar with those of reticulocytes but different from the radiation pattern of the K562 cells. SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis also revealed that the proteins affinity to vimentin antibody in the cybrids migrate in a pattern similar with that of the rabbit reticulocytes, both of them with only residual depolymerized vimentin complex but not the polymerized vimentin band of 55 kd. These results suggested that the factors in the cytoplasm of the rabbit reticulocytes might function through a mechanism of vimentin depolymerization or blockage of gene expression, which finally resulted in destruction of intermediate filaments that facilitates the expellation of nucleus from cytoplasm.

Single or combined monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) Zh53, Zh820, and Zh2-1 have been used to eliminate malignant clonogenic cells from human bone marrow. The test of cytotoxicity showed that all of these McAbs could express high specific cytotoxic action against HL-60 cells and were selectively complement-dependent cytotoxic to various types of fresh leukemic cells. Clonogenic assay detected that single treatment with antibody and rabbit complement (RC) could reduce clonogenic units of HL-60 cells by more than 2 logs and two treatments reduced clonogenic units by more than 4 logs. However, combination of 2 McAbs could reduce clonogenic units by 4-5 logs. The data suggest that multiple treatments with McAbs and RC or a combination of 2 McAbs are more effective than a single treatment in eliminating clonogenic tumor cells. Treatment of normal human bone marrow with Zh53, Zh2-1 and RC did not produce a loss of normal CFU-GM, but treatment with Zh820 reduced the clonic units of normal CFU-GM by 24%.

In this report, the decomposition kinetics of thalidasine (TD) in aqueous solution at pH 2.0-7.8, salt concentration 0-0.132 mol/L, temperature 50, 60, 70, 80 degrees C, and different oxygen concentrations were investigated. The decomposition rate constant of TD in aqueous solution were determined by fluorescence spectrophotometer. The results showed: the oxidation reaction contributed largely to the overall decomposition, the oxidation rate of TD was found to be chiefly dependent on the PH of the medium and presence of oxygen. When in excess oxygen, the reaction followed pseudo first-order kinetics with respect to TD concentration. The rate constant can be expressed as: [formula: see text]. No primary salt effect was observed at pH 7.2.

Using monoclonal antibody against CEA, we have measured carcino-embryonic antigen in bronchial lavage fluids and sera in 36 pts with bronchial carcinoma. Simultaneously, 28 pts and 36 pts were performed with bronchial brush biopsy and cytological examination respectively. There were 25 cases with other pulmonary diseases such as TB and pneumonia as control. CEA levels of lavage fluids, sera in malignant group and control were 42.2 +/- 44.9; 12.8 +/- 23.6; and 8 +/- 11.6; 1.6 +/- 2.4 (ng/ml) respectively. CEA lavage was adjusted with albumin concentration in each case. The results showed: (1) 83.3% of malignant patients were greater than 10 ng/ml in lavage fluids and 16% in non-malignant group. Positive rate was higher than controls (P less than 0.01). (2) CEA level of lavage fluids was higher than that of sera in malignancy (P less than 0.01). (3) There were 16 patients with negative bronchial brush biopsy in malignant group but they were 93.7% positive for CEA measurement of lavage fluids. It is reasonable to consider that CEA measurement in bronchial lavage fluid is an important technique for the supplementary of bronchogenic carcinoma.

A new type of MCCS (microcells connected in series) has been constructed and its performances investigated. It has been applied to the determination of streptomycin. The sensitivity and accuracy have been increased significantly. A theoretical model for the error of determination using the MCCS has been suggested and proved experimentally using the Monte Carlo method, and the error model proposed in Ref. [1] revised.

By means of ATPase stain and avidin-biotin peroxidase complex (ABC) immunohistochemical stain with HLA-Dr monoclonal antibody, it revealed that large amount of LCs was also observed, besides lymphocytes. Lymphocyte subpopulations OKT3 OKT4 OKT8 were also studied immunohistochemically. Positive OKT3 OKT4 OKT8 cells were found in the epidermis and submucosa tissue of cholesteatoma. In epidermis, the positive cells were few in number and scattered here and there, however a large number of positive cells were present in the submucosa. In comparison, OKT8 positive cells were more predominate than OKT4 positive cells. According to the result of the this study, we consider that LCs and T lymphocyte interplay for the production of prostaglandins and lymphokines, which may play an important role in mastoid bone destruction.

Drug ion-selective electrodes made with hetero-poly anion as exchange site exhibit better performances than the respective electrodes of conventional tetraphenylboron type, yielding low detection limits and fast responses. Functions of propantheline, berberine, dibazol, thiamine, streptomycin, moroxydine, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, doxycycline, erythromycin, carbetapentane, benzydamine, tetramisole and trifluoperazine electrodes are reported. The electrodes can be used in potentiometric determinations of the respective drugs in aqueous solutions, urine and mixture of water and organic solvents.