Volume 103  ·   Issue 01  ·  1990

The first strain of non-Legionella pneumophila, L-88-1, was isolated from some condensed water in a steam discharge pipe extending from a boiler in China. The organism was characterized by serologic, biochemical, DNA hybridization and electron microscopic studies. It was identified to be L. gormanii.

Cerebrocyte antigens of human embryo and indirect assay of solid phase ELISA were applied to measure concentrations of IgG subunit of serum anti-brain antibody (ABA) and other immunological indexes in 110 epileptics, 36 neurasthenic patients and 52 normal individuals. The results showed that the levels and abnormal rate of serum ABA in epileptic patients was much higher than those of controls (P less than 0.001). However there was no difference among the controls (P greater than 0.05). It suggested that epilepsy might be caused by certain factors resulting in the exposure of the sealed brain antigen which in turn stimulates ABA production and autoimmune responses. The serum level of ABA was correlated with that of serum IgG and IgA (P less than 0.05), but not with age, duration of disease, seizure types and the use or nonuse of anticonvulsive drugs (P greater than 0.05).

An experimental model of diseased pericytes was established by using cultured bovine retinal capillary pericytes in high-glucose medium. The high glucose stimulated polyol pathway, reduced cellular myo-inositol content and disturbed inositol phospholipid metabolism which resulted in a decrease in inositol trisphosphate (IP3) level. The correlation of suppressed IP3 levels with reduced DNA synthesis was evident. These findings suggested the biochemical mechanism by which retinal pericytes degenerate in high glucose. To supplement myo-inositol and/or an aldose reductase inhibitor to the high-glucose medium largely reversed the suppressed IP3 level and the decreased DNA synthesis. Therefore, these two manipulations may be considered as in vitro therapy to treat sick pericytes induced by high glucose.

Ten fresh cadaver cervical spine specimens were frozen and bisected through the median sagittal plane. The length, thickness of the ligamental flavum (LF) and its protruding depth into the cervical canal were measured in hyperextension, hyperflexion and mid-position. The results showed that LF was elongated and became thinner in hyperflexion and shortened, thickened, and protruded into the cervical canal in hyperextension. The protruding depth into the canal was 3.5±0.35 mm at C 5-6, 3.25±0.50 mm at C 4-5 and 2.96±0.35 mm at C 6-7 respectively. Segmental stenosis was observed at the level of intervertebral space in hyperextension.

The reference values of the indicators for WHO neurobehavioral core test battery (NCTB) and the factors of age and sex on the performance preliminarily were analyzed. The results showed that there was a significant interference with the performance of behavior involved in hand movement and hand operation, a slight interference with the performance of behavior in simple reaction time, digit span and Benton visual retention, and almost no interference with the performance of behavior in mood due to age. It seemed that sex had hardly any effect on the indicators for WHO NCTB.

A perspective ultrasonographic study on 10 cases of achalasia showed characteristic ultrasonographic features: dilation and persistent water retention of the gastroesophageal vestibule, symmetrical parietal thickening, and delayed or intermittent opening of the cardiac orifice after drinking. We suggest that ultrasonography should play an important role in clinical management of achalasia. If the ultrasonographic features of achalasia were known, the misdiagnosis of achalasia for cardiac carcinoma could be avoided. When an infiltrating cardiac carcinoma found to be smoothly narrowing and difficult to distinguish from achalasia radiologically, an ultrasonogram may be helpful to make a correct diagnosis.

By immunocytochemical method and radioimmunoassay, the gastrin secreting cells (G cells) and gastrin concentration in antral mucosa, gastric juice and serum in 20 patients with duodenal ulcer (DU) were studied. The number of G cells and gastrin concentration in antral mucosa showed no significant difference as compared with normal control. The number of G cells in patients with DU and antral atrophy was much higher than those with antral atrophy but with DU. It indicated that G cells were increased in number in DU, and the gastrin concentration in gastric juice (271.11±255.25 pg/ml) was much higher than in sera (74.71±43.07 pg/ml). G cells were distributed in different parts of pyloric glands, showing that gastrin in gastric juice should come directly from G cells. The disturbance of feedback mechanism in regulating gastric acidity might be an important role in hypersecretion of gastric acid in DU. The increase of gastrin concentration in gastric juice might be closely related to hyperplasia of parietal cells.

The anterior part of Schistosoma japonicum cercaria is a specialized head organ which can slightly stretch out and retract. There are three different types of large unicellular glands in cercarial body, consisting of one head gland, 2 pairs of pre- and 3 pairs of postacetabular glands. These glands differ in position, gross feature, histochemistry and functions. Both polysaccharase and protease activities are demonstrated in the secretions from these glands. Mode of cercarial penetration is described in detail and the penetration is effected by a combination of lytic secretions and mechanical movements. The schematic representation of the process of cercarial penetration is presented. The dynamic distributions of schistosomula in skin at different time intervals after skin penetration in various mammalian hosts are shown. Some newly transformed schistosomula die while penetrating into the skin of 7 mammalian species and the mortality rate varies with the host species, and that can also be affected by the age of cercariae following emergence from the snail. Some physiological aspects between cercariae and newly transformed schistosomula are compared. In contrast to cercariae, schistosomula are saline-adapted and water-intolerant. They were modified histochemically and antigenically.

Hemoglobin Jianghua (Hb Jianghua) is a new fast-moving hemoglobin variant found in China, being named after the county where it was detected. Having its primary structure analysed, we report in this paper the results of studies on its function. The absorption spectrum, response to allosteric effectors and oxygen equilibrium of the chromatographically purified Hb Jianghua showed its characteristics similar to those of purified Hb A. Its alkaline Bohr effect was normal. This indicates that a substitution of isoleucine for the 120th lysine residue of the β chain had no significant influence upon the function of Hb molecule.