Antimony release and volatilization from rice paddy soils: Field and microcosm study

The fate of antimony (Sb) in submerged soils and the impact of common agricultural practices (e.g., manuring) on Sb release and volatilization is understudied. We investigated porewater Sb release and volatilization in the field and laboratory for three rice paddy soils. In the field study, the porewater Sb concentration (up to 107.1 μg L^-1) was associated with iron (Fe) at two sites, and with pH, Fe, manganese (Mn), and sulfate (SO₄^2-) at one site. The surface water Sb concentrations (up to 495.3 ± 113.7 μg L^-1) were up to 99 times higher than the regulatory values indicating a potential risk to aquaculture and rice agriculture. For the first time, volatile Sb was detected in rice paddy fields using a validated quantitative method (18.1 ± 5.2 to 217.9 ± 160.7 mg ha^-1 y^-1). We also investigated the influence of two common rice agriculture practices (flooding and manuring) on Sb release and volatilization in a 56-day microcosm experiment using the same soils from the field campaign. Flooding induced an immediate, but temporary, Sb release into the porewater that declined with SO₄^2-, indicating that SO₄^2- reduction may reduce porewater Sb concentrations. A secondary Sb release, corresponding to Fe reduction in the porewater, was observed in some of the microcosms. Our results suggest flooding-induced Sb release into rice paddy porewaters is temporary but relevant. Manuring the soils did not impact the porewater Sb concentration but did enhance Sb volatilization. Volatile Sb (159.6 ± 108.4 to 2237.5 ± 679.7 ng kg^-1 y^-1) was detected in most of the treatments and was correlated with the surface water Sb concentration. Our study indicates that Sb volatilization could be occurring at the soil-water interface or directly in the surface water and highlights that future works should investigate this potentially relevant mechanism.

[Relationship between white matter lesions and theresponse of cerebral spinal fluid tap test and clinical features in the patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus]

Objective: To explore the relationship between white matter lesions and clinical features and response of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) tap test in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus(iNPH). Methods: Possible iNPH patients were enrolled from outpatients and inpatients in Peking Union Medical College Hospital between 2014 and 2019. All patients underwent detailed neuropsychological and walking assessments, CSF tap test, as well as head magnetic resonance imaging. The Fazekas score of white matter lesions, the fractional anisotropy (FA)and mean diffusivity (MD) values of regions of interest by means ofdiffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were compared between CSF tap test positive and negative response groups. The correlation between DTI parameters and clinical characteristics was analyzed. Results: Forty-three patients (29 male and 14 female, age range: 52-79 years] wererecruited.Compared with the negative group, patients in the positive group tended to have higher Fazekas score of periventricular white matter(U=108.00, P=0.03), higher MD value of the region near anterior horn of left lateral ventricles[(1.14±0.27)×10^-9mm²/s vs (0.85±0.08) ×10^-9mm²/s, P=0.003], lower FA value of the region near anterior horn of the right lateral ventricles[(0.20±0.07)vs(0.27±0.09), P=0.058], and higher MD value near the posterior horn of right lateral ventricle [(1.17±0.34)×10^-9mm²/s vs (0.95±0.01)×10^-9mm²/s, P=0.003]. FA and MD were significantly correlated with motor function, cognitive and functional scores, and iNPH grading scale (iNPHGS) scores(all P<0.05). Conclusions: The white matter lesions might be one of the pathogeneses of lNPH and apathological changewhich can be reversed by CSF drainage. More white matter lesions should not be the contraindication of CSF drainage surgery.

Longitudinal course and phenotypes of health-related quality of life in adults with atopic dermatitis

BACKGROUND

The real-world course of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in atopic dermatitis (AD) is not well established.

AIM

To examine predictors, longitudinal course and phenotypes of HRQoL in adult patients with AD.

METHODS

This was a prospective dermatology-practice based study of 955 patients with AD (age 18-97 years). Patients were assessed at baseline and approximately 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. HRQoL was assessed using the 10-item short-form Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global Health (PGH). AD severity and impact was assessed by patient-reported global AD severity, Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), Objective SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (O-SCORAD), Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) average and worst itch, PROMIS sleep-related impairment (SRI), and nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9. Repeated-measures regression models were constructed to examine itch over time.

RESULTS

In multivariable linear regression models controlling for age, race/ethnicity, history of asthma, hay fever and food allergy, baseline PGH-physical (PGH-P4) T scores were inversely associated with patient-reported global AD severity, POEM, EASI, objective SCORAD, IGA, NRS average and worst itch, PROMIS SRI and PHQ-9, with stepwise decreases of physical health with worsening severity. PGH-mental health (PGH-M4) T scores were associated with all aforementioned severity measures aside from POEM. In multivariable repeated measures linear regression models, decreased PGH-P4 and PGH-M4 T scores and mapped five-dimension EuroQoL over time were associated with self-reported global AD severity, NRS worst and mean itch, POEM, PROMIS sleep disturbance and SRI, EASI, objective SCORAD, IGA and PHQ-9. Latent class analysis identified six classes of HRQoL, which were associated with measures of AD severity, nonwhite race, Hispanic ethnicity and having only public health insurance, but not age or sex.

CONCLUSION

Patients with AD have a heterogeneous longitudinal course and distinct patterns of HRQoL. Many patients had fluctuating HRQoL over time. Most patients with moderate to severe disease at baseline had persistent HRQoL impairment over time.

An improved automated zebrafish larva high-throughput imaging system

As a typical multicellular model organism, the zebrafish has been increasingly used in biological research. Despite the efforts to develop automated zebrafish larva imaging systems, existing ones are still defective in terms of reliability and automation. This paper presents an improved zebrafish larva high-throughput imaging system, which makes improvements to the existing designs in the following aspects. Firstly, a single larva extraction strategy is developed to make larva loading more reliable. The aggregated larvae are identified, classified by their numbers and patterns, and separated by the aspiration pipette or water stream. Secondly, the dynamic model of larva motion in the capillary is established and an adaptive robust controller is designed for decelerating the fast-moving larva to ensure the survival rate. Thirdly, rotating the larva to the desired orientation is automated by developing an algorithm to estimate the larva's initial rotation angle. For validating the improved larva imaging system, a real-time heart rate monitoring experiment is conducted as an application example. Experimental results demonstrate that the goals of the improvements have been achieved. With these improvements, the improved zebrafish larva imaging system remarkably reduces human intervention and increases the efficiency and success/survival rates of larva imaging.

What are the best endpoints for Eczema Area and Severity Index and Scoring Atopic Dermatitis in clinical practice? A prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Multiple strategies have been used to evaluate the minimal important change (MIC) of the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) and Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD). The meaningfulness of these MICs is not well established across all severities of atopic dermatitis (AD).

OBJECTIVES

To determine the MIC of percentage and absolute improvement of EASI and SCORAD scores in adults and children with AD.

METHODS

We performed a prospective dermatology practice-based study using questionnaires and evaluation by a dermatologist (n = 826). An anchor-based approach was used to determine thresholds for the percentage and absolute MICs of EASI, SCORAD and objective SCORAD (O-SCORAD) at follow-up from baseline.

RESULTS

One-grade improvements of Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) and validated Investigator Global Assessment scale for AD (vIGA-AD) were associated with 50%, 35% and 35% decreases of EASI, SCORAD and O-SCORAD, respectively. The thresholds for percentage MIC of EASI (Kruskal-Wallis test, P = 0·61), SCORAD (P = 0·07) and O-SCORAD (P = 0·09) were similar across baseline AD severities. One-grade improvements of PGA and vIGA-AD were associated with 14·0- and 14·9-point decreases of EASI, 19·9- and 14·9-point decreases of SCORAD, and 15·5- and 17·4-point decreases of O-SCORAD. The thresholds for the absolute MIC of EASI (P < 0·001), SCORAD (P < 0·001) and O-SCORAD (P < 0·001) significantly differed by baseline AD severity. Percentage and absolute MICs for EASI and SCORAD were associated with improvements of AD symptoms and quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

EASI 50, SCORAD 35 and O-SCORAD 35 were meaningful percentage MICs regardless of baseline AD severity. The absolute MICs for EASI, SCORAD and O-SCORAD varied by baseline AD severity.

Measurement properties of the product of investigator's global assessment and body surface area in children and adults with atopic dermatitis

BACKGROUND

Multiple clinician-reported outcome measures exist for atopic dermatitis (AD) severity. However, there is no gold standard for use in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the measurement properties of the product of validated Investigator's Global Assessment for AD (vIGA) and body surface area (BSA) overall or divided into six categories (cBSA: 0%/0.1, <10%/10, <30%/30, <50%/50, <70%/70 and <90%/90-100%) and compare with other clinician-reported and patient-reported outcomes in adults and children with AD.

METHODS

We performed a prospective dermatology practice-based study using questionnaires and evaluation by a dermatologist (n = 653).

RESULTS

vIGA*BSA and vIGA*cBSA had good convergent validity with BSA (Spearman's ρ = 0.97 and 0.93), eczema area and severity index (ρ = 0.94 and 0.92), and objective SCORAD (ρ = 0.88 and 0.89); and weak-to-good convergent validity with Numeric Rating Scale average itch (ρ = 0.22 and 0.22) and worst itch (ρ = 0.27 and 0.28), Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (ρ = 0.44 and 0.43), Dermatology Life Quality Index (ρ = 0.48 and 0.49), ItchyQOL (ρ = 0.45 and 0.46), PROMIS Sleep Disturbance (ρ = 0.46 and 0.37) and sleep-related impairment (ρ = 0.31 and 0.31) in adults and/or children; very good discriminant validity for physician-reported global AD severity; good responsiveness to change of severity of AD and itch; and good reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [95% confidence interval]: 0.72 [0.60-0.81] and 0.74 [0.62-0.82]) with no floor or ceiling effects. Thresholds for interpretability bands and clinically important difference were established.

CONCLUSIONS

vIGA*BSA and vIGA*cBSA scores showed good convergent and discriminant validity, reliability, responsiveness and interpretability in adults and children with AD, and were feasible for use in clinical practice. vIGA*BSA and vIGA*cBSA had slightly lower convergent validity than EASI or objective SCORAD, but might be more efficient to collect and score.

Measurement properties of the Rajka-Langeland severity score in children and adults with atopic dermatitis

BACKGROUND

Multiple atopic dermatitis (AD) severity scales exist, with no gold standard for use in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the measurement properties of the Rajka-Langeland score and compare it with other clinician-reported outcomes in adults and children with AD.

METHODS

We performed a prospective dermatology practice-based study using questionnaires and evaluation by a dermatologist (n = 427).

RESULTS

Rajka-Langeland had good concurrent validity with the Eczema Area and Severity Index (Spearman rho = 0·63), SCORing AD (SCORAD) (rho = 0·61), objective-SCORAD (rho = 0·52) and body surface area (rho = 0·51); good convergent validity with the numeric rating scale average-itch (rho = 0·60) and worst-itch (rho = 0·59), Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (rho = 0·57), Dermatology Life Quality Index (rho = 0·53), Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Itch Questionnaire (rho = 0·35-0·55) in adults and/or children; fair discriminant validity for patient- and physician-reported global AD severity; good responsiveness to change of severity of AD and itch; good reliability; internal consistency; with no floor or ceiling effects. Interpretability bands (3, clear/almost clear; 4-5, mild; 6-7, moderate; 8-9, severe) and minimal clinically important difference (1 point) were established.

CONCLUSIONS

The Rajka-Langeland score showed good construct validity, reliability, internal consistency and responsiveness in adults and children with AD.

Blood Flow Regulates Zebrafish Caudal Vein Plexus Angiogenesis by ERK5-klf2a-nos2b Signaling

BACKGROUND

Vascular network formation induced by angiogenesis plays an important role in many physiological and pathological processes. However, the role of blood flow and underlying mechanisms in vascular network formation, for example for the development of the caudal vein plexus (CVP), is poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the role of ERK5-klf2a-nos2b signaling in the CVP angiogenesis.

METHOD AND RESULTS

In this study on tnnt2a-MO injection and chemical blood flow modulator treatment in zebrafish embryos, we demonstrated that decreased blood flow disrupted CVP formation. The hemodynamic force was quantitatively analyzed. Furthermore, CVP angiogenesis in zebrafish embryos was inhibited by disruption of the blood flow downstream effectors ERK5, klf2a, and nos2b in response to treatment with the ERK5 specific inhibitor and to injection of klf2a-MO, nos2b-MO. Overexpression of klf2a mRNA or nos2b mRNA restored vascular defects in tnnt2a or klf2a morphants. The data suggest that flow-induced ERK5-klf2a-nos2b signaling is involved in CVP angiogenesis in zebrafish embryos.

CONCLUSION

We have demonstrated that blood flow is essential for vascular network formation, specifically for CVP angiogenesis in zebrafish. A novel genetic and mechanical mechanism was discovered in which ERK5 facilitates the integration of blood flow with the downstream klf2a-nos2b signaling for CVP angiogenesis.

bmp3 is Required for Integrity of Blood Brain Barrier by Promoting Pericyte Coverage in Zebrafish Embryos

BACKGROUND

The compromise of blood brain barrier (BBB) integrity is often associated with human hemorrhage stroke and neurodegeneration diseases, including retina diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Brain pericytes play pivotal roles in regulation and maintenance of BBB integrity. However, the mechanisms underlying brain pericyte development to establish BBB integrity remain unclear.

METHODS

Zebrafish transgenic lines Tg(flk1:GFP; gata1:dsRed), Tg(flk1:GFP), Tg(fli1:GFP) and Tg(BRE:GFP) were used in this work. The functional studies of bmp3 were performed by mopholino oligonucleotide (MO) injection, dye-based permeability assay, RT-PCR, in vivo imaging, immunofluorescence staining and statics analysis.

RESULTS

Here we report that bmp3 regulates BBB integrity in zebrafish brain by promoting pericyte development. Knockdown of bmp3 with injection of bmp3-MO causes intracerebral hemorrhage in zebrafish embryos. Meanwhile, disruption of bmp3 function by bmp3-MO injection impairs cerebral pericyte coverage in zebrafish embryos. Mechanistically, knockdown of bmp3 disrupts the pattern and activities of BMP signaling in zebrafish brain, thus probably disrupting the balance of TGFβ/BMP signaling in zebrafish embryos.

CONCLUSION

In summary, our data shows that bmp3 regulates BBB integrity potentially by promoting pericyte development.

Amyloid formation in human islets is enhanced by heparin and inhibited by heparinase

Islet transplantation is a promising therapy for patients with diabetes, but its long-term success is limited by many factors, including the formation of islet amyloid deposits. Heparin is employed in clinical islet transplantation to reduce clotting but also promotes fibrillization of amyloidogenic proteins. We hypothesized that heparin treatment of islets during pre-transplant culture may enhance amyloid formation leading to beta cell loss and graft dysfunction. Heparin promoted the fibrillization of human islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) and enhanced its toxicity to INS-1 beta cells. Heparin increased amyloid deposition in cultured human islets, but surprisingly decreased islet cell apoptosis. Treatment of human islets with heparin prior to transplantation increased the likelihood of graft failure. Removal of islet heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans, which localize with islet amyloid deposits in type 2 diabetes, by heparinase treatment decreased amyloid deposition and protected against islet cell death. These findings raise the possibility that pretransplant treatment of human islets with heparin could potentiate IAPP aggregation and amyloid formation and may be detrimental to subsequent graft function.

Large-scale two-dimensional MoS₂ photodetectors by magnetron sputtering

We report on the demonstration of photodetectors based on large scale two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) transition metal dichalcogenides. Excellent film uniformity and precise control of the MoS2 thickness down to a monolayer (~0.75nm) were achieved by magnetron sputtering synthesis approach. In particular, the photodetectors integrated with five MoS2 monolayers exhibit a high photoresponsivity of 1.8 A/W, an external quantum efficiency exceeding 260%, and a photodetectivity of ~5 x 10(8) Jones for a wavelength of 850 nm, surpassing the performance of mechanically exfoliated based photodetectors.

Differential response of normal human epidermal keratinocytes and HaCaT cells to hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress

BACKGROUND

  Normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) and HaCaT cells are the most common models used to study the effects of various factors on skin cells. These cell lines share some common characteristics, but little is known about their differences in handling hydrogen peroxide (H(2) O(2) )-induced oxidative stress.

AIM

To investigate the differential response of NHEKs and HaCaT cells to H(2) O(2) -induced oxidative stress.

METHODS

We examined differences in NHEKs and HaCaT cells after H(2) O(2) treatment, assessing changes in cell viability; levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and caspase-3/7; percentage of cells arrested in G1 phase; number of senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal)-positive cells and; expression of senescence-related protein Klotho.

RESULTS

The viability of NHEKs and HaCaT cells decreased in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner after exposure to H(2) O(2) . The inhibitory effect of 150 μmol/L H(2) O(2) on cell viability was greater in HaCaT cells than in NHEKs (P<0.05). Levels of ROS and caspase-3/7, and the percentage of cells arrested in G1 phase, were higher in HaCaT cells than in NHEKs, whereas intracellular SOD was higher in NHEKs than in HaCaT cells after exposure to 150 μmol/L H(2) O(2) (P < 0.05). SA-β-Gal positive cells increased significantly in NHEKs after treatment with H(2) O(2) (P < 0.05). Klotho was significantly downregulated in both NHEKs and HaCaT cells after H(2) O(2) treatment, but no SA-β-Gal-positive HaCaT cells were seen, even after treatment with H(2) O(2) .

CONCLUSIONS

Normal human epidermal keratinocytes are more resistant than HaCaT cells to H(2) O(2) -induced oxidative stress. HaCaT cells have senescence phenotypes, but do not express β-Gal.

Increased lung clearance of isoflurane shortens emergence in obesity: a prospective randomized-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

There is a concern that obesity may play a role in prolonging emergence from fat-soluble inhalational anaesthetics. We hypothesized that increased pulmonary clearance of isoflurane will shorten immediate recovery from anaesthesia and post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) stay in obese patients.

METHODS

After Ethics Review Board approval, 44 ASA I-III patients with BMI>30 kg/m(2) undergoing elective gynaecological or urological surgery were randomized after completion of surgery to either an isocapnic hyperpnoea (IH) or a conventional recovery (C) group. The anaesthesia protocol included propofol, fentanyl, morphine, rocuronium and isoflurane in air/O(2) . Groups were compared using unpaired t-test and ANOVA.

RESULTS

Minute ventilation in the IH group before extubation was 22.6 ± 2.7 vs. 6.3 ± 1.8 l/min in the C group. Compared with C, the IH group had a shorter time to extubation (5.4 ± 2.7 vs. 15.8 ± 2.7 min, P<0.01), initiation of spontaneous ventilation (2.7 ± 2.3 vs. 6.5 ± 4.5 min, P<0.01), BIS recovery >75 (3.2 ± 2.3 vs. 8.9 ± 5.8 min, P<0.01), eye opening (4.6 ± 2.9 vs. 13.6 ± 7.1 min, P<0.01) and eligibility for leaving the operating room (7.1 ± 2.9 vs. 19.9 ± 11.9 min, P<0.01). There was no difference in time for eligibility for PACU discharge.

CONCLUSION

Increasing alveolar ventilation enhances anaesthetic elimination and accelerates short-term recovery in obese patients.

Clinicopathological implications of tumour-associated macrophages and vascularization in sinonasal melanoma

This study investigated tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) and their effects on tumour vascularization in sinonasal melanoma (SNM). Data on 45 patients with SNM undergoing surgery were reviewed retrospectively. Tumour sections were analysed immunohistochemically for TAMs, microvessels, lymph vessels, and vasculogenic mimicry in both intra- and peritumoural areas. The density of intratumoural TAMs was associated with tumour thickness and with overall survival in SNM stages I and II but there were no correlations between micro- or lymph vessel density and TAM infiltration. Greater TAM infiltration was observed in tumour tissues with vasculogenic mimicry although this was not statistically significant. These data suggest that high intratumoural TAM infiltration is associated with tumour aggressiveness and a poor prognosis for SNM, and that activation of macrophages can be polarized by different micro-environments. TAMs could be potential prognostic indicators for patients with SNM.

COP9 signalosome subunit 8 is required for postnatal hepatocyte survival and effective proliferation

Studies using lower organisms and cultured mammalian cells have revealed that the COP9 signalosome (CSN) has important roles in multiple cellular processes. Conditional gene targeting was recently used to study CSN function in murine T-cell development and activation. Using the Cre-loxP system, here we have achieved postnatal hepatocyte-restricted knockout of the csn8 gene (HR-Csn8KO) in mice. The protein abundance of other seven CSN subunits was differentially downregulated by HR-Csn8KO and the deneddylation of all cullins examined was significantly impaired. Moreover, HR-Csn8KO-induced massive hepatocyte apoptosis and evoked extensive reparative responses in the liver, including marked intralobular proliferation of biliary lineage cells and trans-differentiation and proliferation of the oval cells. However, division of pre-existing hepatocytes was significantly diminished in HR-Csn8KO livers. These findings indicate that Csn8 is essential to the ability of mature hepatocytes to proliferate effectively in response to hepatic injury. The histopathological examinations revealed striking hepatocytomegaly in Csn8-deficient livers. The hepatocyte nuclei were dramatically enlarged and pleomorphic with hyperchromasia and prominent nucleoli, consistent with dysplasia or preneoplastic cellular alteration in HR-Csn8KO mice at 6 weeks. Pericellular and perisinusoid fibrosis with distorted architecture was also evident at 6 weeks. It is concluded that CSN8/CSN is essential to postnatal hepatocyte survival and effective proliferation.

Analysis of functional SNP in ifng/ifngr1 in Chinese Han population with tuberculosis

Ifng/Ifngr1 are the main genes that are associated with tuberculosis. We continued to search for other functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and investigated their influence on patients with tuberculosis in the Chinese population. Seven SNP located in the ifng and ifngr1 genes were genotyped by ligase detection reaction in 222 cases and 188 ethnically matched controls. A significant genetic association between rs7749390 (located on the exon/intron splice site of the ifngr1 gene) and tuberculosis was observed, and the log-additive model was accepted as the best inheritance model to fit these data (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.02-1.80, P = 0.038). Haplotype-specific association analysis revealed that the result was consistent with the individual SNP study. The combination of rs2234711/rs1327474/rs7749390/rs41401746, which was in strong linkage disequilibrium (D' > 0.75), showed a significant association of ifngr1 with tuberculosis (P = 0.00079). Neither the single SNP nor the haplotype analysis showed a significant association between tuberculosis and the ifng gene markers. Our data implied the involvement of the ifngr1 gene in susceptibility to tuberculosis.

Organized intra-atrial thrombus in growing premature infant

We report interesting echocardiographic images of the atrial septum in two growing premature infants related to the previous use of umbilical venous lines in the neonatal period. Complications related to central venous lines are well documented but when they are identified in follow up after several months, their relevance is difficult to establish. Atrial septal findings of organized clot in these asymptomatic infants needs to be correlated with details of neonatal care.

Giant osteochondroma derived from pterygoid process of sphenoid

Osteochondroma is rarely found in oral and maxillofacial regions. The majority of reported osteochondromas occurred in mandibular areas; their occurrence in bones developed by intramembranous ossification is extremely rare. In this report, a case of osteochondroma arising from the pterygoid process of the sphenoid is described. Radiological investigations showed a large bony mass under the left great wing of the sphenoid and involving the left parapharyngeal space. The tumour was compressive to the mandibular ramus and pharyngeal cavity, causing marked disturbance of mouth opening and secretory otitis media. Histopathological examination confirmed the lesion to be osteochondroma.

[Surgical management of subglottic carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the surgical management and evaluate the effect on patients with subglottic cancer.

METHODS

Fourteen cases with subglottic carcinoma were treated surgically from 1989 to 1998. There were T1-2N0 lesions in 5 cases, T3N0-2 lesions in 3 cases and T4N0-1 lesions in 6 cases. Eleven cases underwent partial laryngectomy and three cases underwent total laryngectomy. The defects of larynx were reconstructed by using uni-pedicled or bi-pedicled stemohyoid myofascial flap, platysma myocutaneous flap, sternocleidomastoid myoperiosteal flap, thyroid perichondral flap and epiglottis flap accordingly. Unilateral neck dissection was performed on 4 cases and bilateral on one.

RESULTS

The function of phonation had been restored in all cases except in 3 patients who underwent total laryngectomy. Seven out eleven(63.6%) were decannulated. The swallowing function was restored in all patients. In all cases the 3 and 5 year survival rates were 78.6%(11/14) and 63.6% (7/11), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The conservative surgery can be used for the majority of the subglottic carcinoma if the lesions were entirely resected. The proficiency in surgical methods is crucial for the preservation of laryngeal function.

[Clinical studies on sternocleidomastoid myoperiosteal flap for cervical tracheal reconstruction]

OBJECTIVE

To introduce the experience of repairing the defect of cervical trachea wall by using the sternocleidomastoid myoperiosteal flap after the anterior or posterior wall of cervical trachea was invaded by cervical neoplasm.

METHOD

Between 1989 to 1998 the sternocleidomastoid myoperiosteal flap was applied in 12 patients with different diseases, among which 3 cases were thyroid carcinoma 5 cases were laryngeal carcinoma, 4 cases were cervical esophageal carcinoma.

RESULT

The operation was successful. 12 patients were decannuated and had normal exercise tolerance. The time from reconstruction to decannulation was ranging from 20 days to 6 months.

CONCLUSION

The sternocleidomastoid myoperiosteal flap is an ideal transplant for cervical tracheal reconstruction.

[Analysis of the relation between the operation time and functional recovery for the injured facial motor nerve]

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the relation between the operation time and functional recovery of the facial motor nerve.

METHODS

133 cases of facial motor nerve injury between 1983 and 1998 were involved in this survey. Most of them (130 cases) suffered from traumatic facial palsy. 73 cases were followed up for evaluating their functional recovery of mimic muscles according to the suggestion by the International Muscle Transplant Registry (1991).

RESULTS

More than 80% cases of facial nerve injury were sharp cut. There were 28 cases undergone immediate or early repair of the facial nerve, 90 cases secondary repair, 15 cases neuromuscular transfer. The functional recovery was achieved in 24/28 cases in which the broken nerves were immediately or early repaired.

CONCLUSIONS

The time to repair the injured motor nerve should be as early as possible, even for the facial palsy caused by tumor or tumor resection. There is still an urgent need to improve the method for objectively evaluating the functional recovery of the facial nerve.

[Measurement of microvessel density in laryngeal carcinoma and its clinical significance]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the microvessel density (MVD) in laryngeal carcinoma and its clinical significance.

METHOD

Thirty-eight tumor specimens were selected from laryngeal cancer patients from January, 1994 to March, 1996. Histological sections of the tumors were stained immunohistochemically for factor VIII. Using light microscopy, we counted microvessels per 400 x field in the most active areas of tumor angiogenesis.

RESULT

1. The tumor blood vessels, composed of only one layer of endothelium were mainly distributed heterogeneously in the interstitial tissue of laryngeal carcinoma with irregular lumen, poorly developed structure. 2. The MVD in the cancer tissues were statistically higher than that in peritumoral tissues (P < 0.01). 3. The MVD in the cancer tissues in group of patients with metastasis to cervical lymphonodes were statistically higher than in group without metastasis (P < 0.01), the MVD in the cancer tissues in group of advanced cases (III, IV stages) were statistically higher than that in group of early cases (I, II stages, P < 0.01). 4. There was no statistically difference in MVD in the cancer tissue between supraglottic and glottic laryngeal carcinoma patients (P > 0.05). 5. There was no statistically difference in MVD in the cancer tissue among the G1, G2 and G3 group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The laryngeal cancer blood vessels have some characteristics that don't appear in normal vessels. It is suggested that tumor angiogenesis can promote tumor growth and metastasis and MVD may be a new prognostic indicator of laryngeal carcinoma.

Experience as a visiting scholar in Fukushima

In this article, author summarizes the experience as a visiting scholar in Fukushima Medical University. The current status and technical innovations of living related liver transplantation in Japan are comprehensively evaluated. New approaches for islet transplantation in the laboratory of Prof. Gotoh and author's preliminary experience of the experimental islet xenotransplantation are also succinctly reported. In the meantime, the author emphasizes the importance of an "open" department and library in which there is a great difference by comparison with that in China. I had an opportunity to study as a visiting scholar in Fukushima Medical University from July 6th to Sept. 28th, 2000. Here, I summarize what I saw and learnt, which have left a deep impression on my memory in Fukushima.

Areca nut extract up-regulates prostaglandin production, cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA and protein expression of human oral keratinocytes

There are about 600 million betel quid (BQ) chewers in the world. BQ chewing is associated with increased incidence of oral cancer and submucous fibrosis. In this study, areca nut (AN) extract (200-800 microg/ml) induced the prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production by 1. 4-3.4-fold and 6-keto-PGF(1 alpha) production by 1.1-1.7-fold of gingival keratinocytes (GK), respectively, following 24 h of exposure. Exposure of GK to AN extract (>400 microg/ml) led to cell retraction and intracellular vacuoles formation. At concentrations of 800 and 1200 microg/ml, AN extract induced cell death at 21-24 and 32-52% as detected by MTT assay and cellular lactate dehydrogenase release, respectively. Interestingly, AN-induced morphological changes of GK are reversible. GK can still proliferate following exposure to AN extract. Cytotoxicity of AN extract cannot be inhibited by indomethacin (1 microM) and aspirin (50 microM), indicating that prostaglandin (PG) production is not the major factor responsible for AN cytotoxicity. PGE(2) exhibited little effect on the growth of GK at concentrations ranging from 100-1000 pg/ml. Stimulating GK production of PGs by AN extract could be due to induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA expression and protein production. These results suggest that AN ingredients are critical in the pathogenesis of oral submucous fibrosis and oral cancer via their stimulatory effects on the PGs, COX-2 production and associated tissue inflammatory responses. AN cytotoxicity to GK is not directly mediated by COX-2 stimulation and PG production.

Inhibition of TNF-alpha processing and TACE-mediated ectodomain shedding by ethanol

Alcohol (EtOH) is a well-documented immunosuppressant. Acute EtOH-induced immunosuppression is partially due to suppression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion. We investigated the mechanism of acute EtOH-induced TNF-alpha suppression in two monocytic cell lines, Mono Mac 6 and DRM. EtOH inhibited TNF-alpha secretion in a dose-dependent manner. However, TNF-alpha transcription was not affected by EtOH. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and confocal microscopy showed that EtOH treatment increased cell-associated TNF-alpha. Ectodomain shedding of TNF-alpha from the cell surface is mediated by TNF-alpha converting enzyme (TACE). In contrast with TNF-alpha, EtOH did not inhibit interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion, which does not require shedding. Furthermore, TNF p75 receptor shedding, a biomarker for TACE activity, was inhibited by EtOH in both cell lines. EtOH also inhibited TNF p75 receptor shedding in TACE-reconstituted fibroblasts, suggesting that EtOH inhibits the shedding process. These data show that acute EtOH exposure can posttranscriptionally suppress TNF-alpha production, resulting in specific defects in immune defense.

Orthotopic human lung carcinoma xenografts in BALB/c mice immunosuppressed with anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies and chronic alcohol consumption

BACKGROUND

The role of the immune system in the surveillance of the body for cancer cells is well established. Human tumor cells do not survive in mice with intact immune systems, but they propagate in athymic nude mice. Presumably, the lack of a thymus gland and consequent loss of T lymphocytes results in a seriously compromised immune system without adequate cell-mediated immunity and tumor surveillance. In patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a progressive loss of cell-mediated immunity is associated with the development of malignancies and opportunistic infections. This effect may be exacerbated in patients who chronically consume alcohol.

METHODS

Normal and alcoholic BALB/c mice were treated with a monoclonal antibody to deplete CD4(+) lymphocytes before orthotopic implantation of human lung adenocarcinoma xenografts. Tumor volume and weight were measured and compared between groups.

RESULTS

The authors' data show that a single treatment of anti-CD4 antibody causes almost complete depletion of CD4(+) lymphocytes and permits the formation of large intrapulmonary human nonsmall lung carcinoma xenografts in 100% of treated mice. All control animals injected with heat-denatured antibody failed to produce tumors. Chronic alcohol consumption by CD4-depleted mice resulted in larger tumors, compared with mice that did not receive ethanol in their diet (P = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Depletion of CD4(+) lymphocytes allows for the orthotopic growth of human lung adenocarcinoma xenografts in BALB/c mice. Furthermore, the consumption of alcohol reduces the ability of the impaired immune system to reject tumors.

[The efficacy on natural extrinsic stain of Colgate whitening dentifrice--eight-week study]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect on natural extrinsic dental stain by use of a dentifrice containing 1% tetrasodium polyphosphate (TSPP), 7% sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), 0.243% sodium fluoride and 10% high cleaning silica (HCS) over an eight-week period was compared to a sodium fluoride/silica placebo dentifrice without stain removal ingredients.

METHODS

Ninety one subjects were selected and stratified into two balanced groups randomly assigned to use the test dentifrice or the placebo dentifrice. The two groups were well balanced with regard to their mean baseline stain index scores, gender and tobacco habits. Subjects were instructed to brush their teeth twice daily (morning and evening) for one minute with their assigned dentifrice and a commercially available soft bristled toothbrush. Extrinsic dental stain examinations, which included mean stain area and mean stain intensity, were conducted at baseline, four and eight weeks. The same dental examiner conducted examinations on the subjects at each examination.

RESULTS

After eight-week use of their assigned products, those subjects in the TSPP/STPP/HCS dentifrice group demonstrated a statistically significant (P = 0.0001) stain reduction of 37.1%, as compared to the fluoride placebo dentifrice group without stain removal ingredients.

CONCLUSION

The use of a dentifrice containing 1% tetrasodium polyphosphate, 7% sodium tripolyphosphate, 0.243% sodium fluoride and 10% high cleaning silica is effective in reducing natural extrinsic dental stain, when compared to a placebo fluoride dentifrice.