Volume 101  ·   Issue 12  ·  1988

The ultrastructural localization of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in 14 cases of gastric cancer was studied by immunoelectron microscopic technique. There was little or no CEA on the microvilli of normal epithelial cells. In intestinal metaplastic epithelium, CEA was found on the microvilli of absorptive cells. In cancer cells the distribution of CEA lost its polarity completely. CEA was found on the lateral surface or even over the entire surface of cancer cells and in intracellular membranous structures. The biological significance and mechanisms of abnormal distribution of CEA are discussed.

The localization of 131I-McAb SZ-39 in human brain tumor nude mice model NHG-1 (bearing glioma), NHE-2 (bearing ependymoma) and NHC-3 (bearing metastatic adenocarcinoma) was studied with ν-imaging autoradiography and radioactivity distribution. Satisfactory tumor imaging was obtained in NHG148-163 hours after injection of 131McAb SZ-39 and the 72-hour T/NT (tumor/normal tissue) value increased from 6.0 to 144.9 times. No tumor imaging was obtained in NHE-2 or NHC-3 receiving 131I-McAb SZ-39 and NHG-1 receiving 131I-normal mouse IgG; the 72 hour T/NT<2. These in vivo studies demonstrate the specificity of SZ-39 and indicate that it may be used for clinical diagnosis and targeting treatment.

To determine the effects of infarct artery recanalization and collateral circulation on myocardial infarct size and left ventricular (LV) function, 44 patients with first transmural myocardial infarction underwent left ventriculography and coronary arteriography. The QRS score was used to measure the infarct size. Patients with patent infarct artery (Group I, 18 cases) and those with totally obstructed infarct artery with collateral vessels (Group II, 13 cases) had lower QRS score and less severe abnormal LV wall motion and higher LV ejection fraction than patients with totally occluded infarct artery without collateral vessels (Group III, 13 cases). The study indicates that the residual blood flow by way of either infarct artery recanalization or coronary collaterals may play an important role in the reduction of myocardial infarct size and preservation of LV function in patients with myocardial infarction.

Experience in selective spinal cord arteriography in 17 cases is reported. 10 were cord arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and 7 cord tumors. 15 were verified by surgery and pathology. Selective spinal cord arteriography plays an important role in diagnosing cord AVM, as it helps to locate them. Pathologic vessels are also shown in all but 2 cases of cord tumors. Meticulous and careful catheterization and familiarity with the anatomy of the cord vessels are prerequisites for success. The procedure is safe and no severe complications occurred in any of our cases.

The metabolites of prostacyclin (PGI2) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2), 6-keto-PGF1α and TXB2, of maternal plasma, umbilical vessels and placental tissue in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and essential hypertension complicated by pregnancy were measured and the results compared with those in patients with normal pregnancy. The 6-keto-PGF1α contents of maternal plasma, umbilical vessels and placental tissue in patients with PIH were significantly lower than those in patients with normal pregnancy, but the TXB2 contents revealed no significant difference between the groups. The role of the two prostanoids in the pathogenesis of PIH is discussed.

The task of the Sino-Monica-Beijing study is to monitor the trend and determinants of cardiovascular diseases in the People's Republic of China from 1984 to 1993 as a part of the WHO Monica Project. Risk factors were studied. A total of 1 673 individuals were surveyed in 1984-85, with a response rate of 88%. The mean total serum cholesterol was 160.5mg/dl in males and 162.8mg/dl in females aged 25-64 years. The prevalence rate of established hypertension was 20.60% in males and 15.3% in females. The smoking rate was 59% in men and 14% in women. The average value of weight/height index was 23.2 in men, and 23.9 in women.

The sagital diameter of the cervical spinal canal (CSC) in 50 subjects and of lumbar spinal canal (LSC) in 60 was measured by CT. The results showed that the spinal canal diameter in Chinese was shorter than that in Europeans and Americans. Thus normal values for the latter were applicable to the former. A value of 11 mm was suggested as the normal lower limit in CSC measurement in Chinese. Classification of lumbar canal stenosis into "absolute" and "relative" is recommended.

Sixty-five autopsied cases of choriocarcinoma and invasive mole were clinicopathologically analyzed. In 4 cases of invasive mole, metastatic growths were found mainly in the lungs and brain. In 61 cases of choriocarcinoma 49.2% had hydatidform mole in an antecedent pregnancy and 13.1% had term pregnancy or abortion preceded by hydatidiform mole. The primary growths which disappeared in 11 cases were choriocacinoma following hydatidiform mole. The incidence of metastases to lung was 100%; to brain, 60%; to vagina, 44.3%; to kidney, 34.4%; to spleen, 29.5%; to liver, 27.9%; to pelvic cavity, 21.3%; and to parametrium, 18.0%. Metastases to stomach, intestine, thyroid, skin, etc. appeared only in the late stages of the disease.

Degeneration and rupture of lumbar intervertebral disc are one of the important causes of lumbar and lower extremity pains. The diagnosis should be confirmed by clinical manifestations, roentgenography, ultrasonic examination, etc. Operative removal of the diseased disc is the accepted method of cure when nonoperative measures fail to give satisfactory results. This paper gives a detailed description of the procedure of anterior extraperitoneal lumbar discectomy. It has the advantages of relatively small operative trauma, better field exposure, minimal hemorrhage, enhanced safety, reduced operative complications, and shortened period of recovery. It is therefore recommended as one of the optimal methods in the surgical treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome.