Hysteroscopic hydrotubation for treatment of tubal blockage

In order to increase the effectiveness of hydrotubation, a plastic cannula was inserted into the fallopian tube under hysteroscopic control. Fifty women with tubal blockage confirmed by HSG were selected for treatment. Hydrotubation solution consisted of hydrocortisone (20 mg), gentamicin (160,000 IU) and procaine (80 mg) in 20 ml distilled water. Repeat HSG was performed. After three treatments, tubal patency (one or both tubes) was achieved in 20 women (40%), and seven pregnancies resulted within 1-18 months. Hysteroscopic hydrotubation may be an alternative treatment for tubal blockage.

[Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of choroidal melanoma]

Ten choroidal melanomas studied were with computed tomography (CT, nine cases) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, one case). Both techniques detected all the intraocular tumors with localization and determination of the extent of the lesions. Three of them were found to have extraocular extension. Because both T1 and T2 were relatively shortened in melanoma, on T-weighted MR image, the tumor was seen as an area of moderately high signal and on T weighted image, melanoma appeared as an area of low signal. MRI can provide a histological diagnosis of this tumor.

Isolation, characterization and expression of the complementary DNA for human tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha)

A cDNA for human TNF-alpha (615bp) was isolated by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using first strand cDNA from PMA-induced HL-60 cells as template. The result from sequencing the 615 bp cDNA fragment indicated that it corresponded to the entire sequence of mature human TNF coding region. Direct expression of mature human TNF was achieved using a plasmid pHT-1 constructed by ligation of the cDNA and a synthetic DNA. The IPTG-induced bacterial product (hTNF) showed cytotoxicity to mouse L-929 cells. The TNF activity was further identified by neutralization of a specific monoclonal antibody against human TNF-alpha. Approximately 80,000 units of activity were detected per ml of culture at A600 = 2.

PIXE determination of essential trace elements in some traditional Chinese medicines

The essential trace elements in 30 traditional Chinese medicines, (24 tonics and 6 nontonics) were determined by proton-induced X-ray emission. The authors' previous suggestion that traditional Chinese medicines may be classified by the order of magnitude of their essential trace elements, thus indicating their pharmacological effects, is not justified. The pharmacological effect of a trace element or its essentiality may be dependent on some ligand that can be chelated with it. A nonlinear mapping algorithm, however, shows that the 30 traditional Chinese medicines are nearly separated into two groups, indicating their tonic or nontonic pharmacological effects.

[The changes of beta-glucuronidase in rabbit model with calcium bilirubinate stone]

The aim of the present study is to determine the beta-glucuronidase changes in bile and hepatobiliary tissue of rabbit model having pigment gallstone by means of biochemical and enzymehistochemical assay methods. The result showed both of the bacterial and non-bacterial beta-glucuronidase take part in the course of pigment gallstone formation. The bacterial beta-glucuronidase level increased quickly before the formation of gallstone, then decreased with control of bacterial infection. Non-bacterial beta-glucuronidase increased slowly in pro-formation stage of gallstone, then kept high level for long period of time. The relationship between beta-glucuronidase and pigment gallstone formation is also discussed.

[Plasma amino acid changes in 40 cases of chronic cor pulmonale]

Serum amino acid determinations were made in 40 patients with chronic cor pulmonale in the period of 1985-1987 in our hospital. There were slight type 14 cases. severe type 26 cases (including pulmonary encephalopathy 10 cases). In severe type the ratio of branched chain amino acid to aromatic amino acid (BACC/AAA) was significantly lower than normal (P less than 0.01) and there was significant negative correlation between PaCO2 and BCAA/AAA (r = -0.49 P less than 0.05). The plasma amino acid pattern in severe type cor pulmonale is similar to that found in hepatic encephalopathy. The mechanism of coma in cor pulmonale is at least in some degree, similar with that of hepatic encephalopathy.