Dendritic cell TLR4 induces Th1-type immune response against Cryptosporidium parvum infection

The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism of Toll-like receptor (TLR4)- mediated dendritic cell (DC) immune against Cryptosporidium parvum infection. C. parvum sporozoites were labeled with 5,6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester. Murine bone marrow-derived DCs were isolated, and divided into TLR4 antibody blocking (TAB; infected with 2 × 10⁵ labeled sporozoites and 0.5 μg TLR4 blocking antibody), TLR4 antibody unblocking (TAU; infected with 2 × 10⁵ labeled sporozoites), and blank control (BC; with 1.5 mL Roswell Park Memorial Institute 1640 medium) groups. The adhesion of Cryptosporidium sporozoites to DCs and CD11c⁺ levels were examined by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Male KM mice were orally injected with C. parvum. The proliferation of T lymphocytes in spleen, expression of cytokines in peripheral blood, and TLR4 distribution features in different organs were further determined by immunohistochemistry. A significantly higher expression of CD11c⁺ and higher C. parvum sporozoite adhesion were found in the TAU group compared with other groups. The expression of CD4⁺CD8^- /CD8⁺CD4^- in the spleen were obviously differences between the TAB and TAU groups. The expression of TLR4, interleukin IL-4, IL-12, IL-18 and IFN-γ improved in the TAU group compared with TAB group. Higher expression of TLR4 was detected in the lymph nodes of mice in the TAU group, with pathological changes in the small intestine. Hence, TLR4 could mediate DCs to recognize C. parvum, inducing Th1 immune reaction to control C. parvum infection.

Toxoplasma gondii rhoptry protein 38 gene: sequence variation among isolates from different hosts and geographical locations

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that is able to infect almost all mammalian species, and may lead to toxoplasmosis of the host. In the present study, we examined sequence variation in rhoptry protein 38 (ROP38) genes among T. gondii isolates collected from different hosts and geographical regions. The complete ROP38 gene from 13 T. gondii isolates was amplified and sequenced. The results of sequence alignments showed that the lengths of the entire ROP38 gene ranged from 2646 to 2650 bp, with a sequence variation of 0.2-1.1%, among the 13 T. gondii isolates. This result indicated low sequence variation in the ROP38 gene. Phylogenetic analysis of ROP38 sequences using Bayesian inference showed that the clustering of the 13 T. gondii isolates was not consistent with their respective genotypes. This result indicates that the ROP38 gene is not a suitable genetic marker for population genetic studies of different T. gondii genotypes from different hosts and geographical locations, but may represent a potential vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis, and hence worthy of further research.

Effect of zinc intake on fetal and infant growth among Chinese pregnant and lactating women

The relationship between maternal nutrient intake and fetal size or infant growth was studied in 1956 pregnant women, 599 parturients and 1043 lactating women, 318 non-pregnant women included as controls. The study was conducted in eight regions that were representative of all geographical areas of China. The diet was comprised primarily of cereal products with 70% to 85% of the zinc intake derived from plant sources. Women in the third trimester of pregnancy, parturients and lactating women consumed more food than non-pregnant women or women in the first two trimesters of pregnancy. Total energy, protein and iron intakes met the recommended allowances for each stage of reproduction. Calcium and zinc intakes, however, were 50% and 47% of the amount recommended, respectively. Only 7.2% of the women exceeded two-thirds of the recommended zinc intake. The mean intake of zinc was 6.5 mg to 9.0 mg each day among all the subjects. Correlation and stepwise regression analysis showed that maternal zinc intake was a predictor factor for fetal dimensions and birthweight. The results of this study show that fetal growth and birthweight are directly related to maternal zinc intake among Chinese women, and that there is no relationship between maternal zinc intake during lactation and infant height, weight, or weight gain from birth.

[Evaluation of organ function monitoring and supporting during the treatment of multiple trauma]

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the evaluation of organ function monitoring and supporting during the treatment of multiple trauma.

METHODS

Eighty-eight patients with severe multiple trauma were admitted into Department of Intensive Care Unit(ICU) and the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and coagulation functions, milieu interieur, and infectious sources were monitored.

RESULTS

Seventy-six cases survived and twelve cases died. The major delayed diagnoses included pneumothorax hematopneumothorax, intraperitoneal organ injury, and fracture. The major complications were severe infection, hypotension, acute renal failure, adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and multiple organ disfunction syndrome(MODS).

CONCLUSION

Active monitor and support of organ function can lower the rate of missed or delayed diagnoses and also decrease complications.

[Study on motor function of the esophagus by SG-II computer manometer]

The manometric studies of esophageal motility were performed on 30 normal subjects. Pressures were detected with a 3-microtransducer catheter following wet swallow. The measure, record and data processing were performed with the computer. The values obtained by us were compared with those reported by other laboratories. We consider that this method is simple, quick and accurate.

[Diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer with multiple primary malignant lesion]

36 (3.5%) out of 1037 patients with multiple primary malignant lesion were operated on and pathologically confirmed. 15 (1.4%) patients had multiple primary bronchogenic carcinoma, 14 double lesions and 1 triple lesions. 21 (2.0%) patients had lung cancer with multiple primary malignant lesion. Nineteen had double lesions and 2 had triple lesions. The increase in incidence, diagnosis and treatment are discussed. We believe that the survival rate may be increased by early diagnosis and surgical treatment.

[Analysis of surgical therapeutic effects in 135 cases of early bronchogenic lung cancer]

135 cases of early bronchogenic carcinoma (T1N0M0) out of 864 operated and pathologically confirmed ones were reported, with an incidence of 15.6%. There were 24 females and 111 males. The ages ranged 23-83 with a mean value of 58.7. There was no operative death. Pathological classification showed squamous cell carcinoma 43.7%, adenocarcinoma 20.0%, bronchiolealveolar carcinoma 25.9%. The postoperative follow-up study covered a period of 1-21 years. The 5-year survival rate was 70.6%, 76.2% and 83.3% respectively. Among this series 42.2% were of central type and 57.8% peripheral type. Their 5-year survival rates were 64.7% and 83.0% respectively, with significant difference (P < 0.01). The clinical features, early diagnosis, and surgical therapeutic effects of early bronchogenic carcinoma and multiple primary lung cancer are discussed.

Studies on iron deficiency anemia, rickets and zinc deficiency and their prevention among Chinese preschool children

The incidence of iron deficiency anemia, rickets, and zinc deficiency is very high in Chinese preschool children and a method for prevention is urgently needed. From our studies, it can be seen that a soft drink powder is a convenient vehicle for the supplementation of iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, riboflavin, and ascorbic acid. Table salt is also a good, low-cost carrier for iron and zinc, and cow's milk can only be used for the enrichment of vitamins A and D. In our study the therapeutic dose of iron was lower than 3 mg/kg body weight recommended by the WHO Expert Committee. As ascorbic acid can enhance the absorption of iron in the body, so 300 mg vitamin C was added to 100 g of soft drink powder containing 100 mg of elemental iron. Ten g of powder is not only enough for the prevention of iron deficiency anemia but it can also cure iron deficiency anemia within 3 months. One hundred mg of iron in 100 g of table salt is an adequate level, because an adult or a child taking 10 or 5 g of salt will receive 10 and 5 mg of elemental iron respectively. This dosage is adequate for the prevention of anemia. From our results, 10 mg of zinc daily is enough for the prevention and treatment of zinc deficiency in preschool children. Four hundred IU of vitamin D (from fortified soft drink powder or enriched fresh cow's milk) orally-administered daily, is a good way to prevent rickets in infants and young children.

[Multiple primary bronchogenic carcinoma]

Twelve cases of multiple primary bronchogenic carcinoma out of 745 operated and pathologically confirmed ones are reported, with an incidence of 1.6%. There were 1 female and 11 males. The ages ranged 36-72 with a mean value of 61.9. Eleven had double and 1, had triple lesions. The pathologic relationship was squamous-squamous carcinoma in 4 cases, squamous-small cell carcinoma in 3, squamous-adenocarcinoma in 1, undifferentiated-giant cell carcinoma in 1, bronchiolo-alveolar bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma in 1 and adeno-adenocarcinoma in 1. The triple primary lesions were all adenocarcinoma. The cause of increase in incidence, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and surgical treatment are discussed.

[Aorto-anastomotic fistula following resection of carcinoma of the esophagus]

This paper reports 5 cases of aorto-anastomotic fistula following resection of carcinoma of the esophagus with a review of literature. There were 4 males and 1 female. The tumors were located in the lower third of the esophagus in all cases. All patients had anastomosis under the aortic arch. The hemorrhage occurred postoperatively from 15 to 22 days. All patients died. The interval between hemorrhage and death varied from 1 to 7 days. Three of the 5 patients underwent autopsy. The clinical characters, diagnostic methods, surgical treatment and preventive measures are discussed.

Diagnosis and treatment of giant cell tumor in the thoracic spine

A 23-year-old woman with incomplete paralysis was operated upon for a giant cell tumor in the thoracic spine. X-ray films revealed a destruction lesion in the vertebral body of the 12th thoracic vertebra. On the plain thoracic computed tomography scan, the finding was a soap-bubble appearance with a linear high density area in the mass lesion which destroyed the vertebral body. Preoperative angiography showed no apparent feeding artery to the tumor tissue; preoperative myelography showed incomplete block at the level of the 12th thoracic vertebra. A radical operation was carried out in one stage via a combined antero-posterior approach. In order to give radiotherapy immediately after operation, a vascular pedicled rib graft was made. This paper discusses the role of thoracic computed tomography scan in the diagnosis of giant cell tumor and the surgical techniques used in treatment.

[In vivo metastasis of human tumor transplant in T and NK cell immune-deficient mice]

Beige-nude mice with combined T and NK cell deficiency were produced by introducing "nu" gene into the beige mice of C57BL/6 background. The beige-nude mice were characterized by morphological features, level and activity of the NK cell in spleen and peripheral blood. NK cell level of the beige-nude mice was higher than the beige mice and similar to the ordinary nude mice though its NK cell activity was markedly lower than the nude mice. Human lung adenocarcinoma (PAa) was transplanted subcutaneously to the beige-nude mice and nude mice of BALB/cA background. No metastasis was found in BALB/cA nude mice (0/7), while in beige-nude mice, spontaneous lymph node metastasis rate was 36.3% (4/11). It should be noted that the transplanted PAa metastasized to lungs, which had never been seen in BALB/cA nude mice in previous experiments. The increase of metastatic rate is correlated with the relative low NK cell activity of the beige-nude mice. Our observation is that the beige-nude mice could be a suitable experimental model for in vivo study on metastatic behavior of the human tumors.

Triacsins, new inhibitors of acyl-CoA synthetase produced by Streptomyces sp

Triacsins A and B, new inhibitors of acyl-CoA synthetase, were isolated from the cultured broth of Streptomyces sp. strain SK-1894. The structurally related compounds WS-1228 A and B, known as hypotensive vasodilators, were also found to inhibit acyl-CoA synthetase. The four compounds have in common a N-hydroxytriazene moiety in their structures. The IC50 values for triacsin A and WS-1228 A were 5.5 and 3.6 micrograms/ml, respectively.