Volume 107  ·   Issue 06  ·  1994

Intracanal obstructions were removed with ultrasound in 206 cases, with a success rate of 97.08%. Six cases (2.92%) failed owing to broken endodontic instruments at the apical third or in the curved and fine canals. The success rate of retrieval of casting post-core or other foreign objects was 100%. Our experience proves that ultrasonic technique is more effective and safer than any other methods for the removal of intracanal obstructions.

The radiographic measurement of the prevertebral soft tissue of cervical vertebrae was performed in 87 normal adults. According to the results of the measurement, 10 mm and 20 mm were used as the upper limit normal values of the retropharyngeal and retrotracheal space respectively. We conclude that although the widened soft tissue space is of diagnostic significance, diagnosis should be made on the basis of analysis of the injury history, clinical manifestation and imaging examination.

Restenosis rate after coronary angioplasty has been up to 30%-40%. To solve this problem, we studied the effects of Andrographis Paniculata Nees (APN) and fish oil (FO, omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids over 70%) on atherosclerotic stenosis and restenosis after experimental angioplasty and the relevant mechanisms of APN and FO. Preliminary results showed that APN can significantly alleviate atherosclerotic iliac artery stenosis induced by both deendothelialization and high cholesterol diet (HCD) and restenosis following angioplasty in rabbits. FO showed the same but milder effects than APN did. Both APN and FO significantly inhibited blood monocytes to secrete growth factors in vivo. Ca(++)-ATPase activity of cell membrane of atherosclerotic rabbits was significantly decreased, while APN or FO, especially the former alleviated this reduction. Refined extract of APN significantly decreased in vitro resting platelet [Ca++]i and in vivo the resting and thrombin-stimulated platelet [Ca++]i after oral administration of APN for 2 weeks. APN significantly inhibited cell growth or DNA synthesis in dose-dependent manner. In conclusion because of the mechanisms described above, APN can alleviate atherosclerotic artery stenosis induced by both deendothelialization and HCD as well as lower restenosis rate after experimental angioplasty. The effects of APN are evidently superior to those of FO.

291 patients were subjected to carotid endarterectomy from January 1985 to June 1992 in two Australian medical institutions. Of the 291 patients, perioperative stroke occurred in 22 (6.3%) after 347 operations (moderate 17 and severe 5). The 22 patients were studied with Doppler scan, angiography, reexploration and CT. Reexploration showed that 12 of 14 patients had thrombosis in the internal carotid artery at operation. The etiological factors for perioperative strokes included thrombosis at the operative sites in 14 patients (64%), cerebral embolism after operation in 4, clamping ischemia in 2, intracerebral hemorrhage in 1 and unknown cause in 1. Six patients (27%) recovered completely in 4 weeks, 10 (45%) had mild residual neurological deficits, 5 (23%) had moderate neurological deficits and 1 died 3 days after operation. Only 6 patients had permanent neurological deficits (6/347, 17%).

The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that the inhibitory effect of elevated glucose levels on mesangial cell growth might be mediated by transforming growth factor β (TGF β). Increased glucose levels inhibited mesangial cell proliferation in a concentration dependent manner. The addition of a rabbit antipocine TGF β1 neutralizing antibody significantly enhanced the cell proliferation in both normal (5.5 mM) and high (50 mM) glucose media (12% and 30% respectively), and almost completely blocked the growth inhibition induced by high glucose media. TGF β assay demonstrated mesangial cells produced more active than latent TGF β after growth in high glucose media. We conclude that TGF β functions as an autocrine cytokine in mesangial cells growth and the production of TGF β is modulated by high glucose concentration. The growth inhibition induced by high glucose levels may be largely mediated by endogenous TGF β.

A 53-year-old man with a restenotic large right coronary vein graft was successfully treated by double balloon angioplasty. The technique and clinical application of double balloon angioplasty were discussed.

Using repeated PAP or repeated PAP and ABC immunocytochemical methods, we were able to demonstrate viral antigens, Ig and Clq in the tissues of 20 autopsy materials that had been preserved for 3-30 years. Serial paraffin sections were stained with the first antibodies against both viral antigens (G2 and Np) and human IgG, IgM, C3 and Clq. Immunocomplex, composed of viral antigen, IgG and Clq were found diffusely in the cells of each organ and extracellularly in the sera, various secretions and exudates. When stained by A25 etc, coarse granular antigen or inclusion bodies were found without demonstrable Ig and Clq. It was concluded that the immunocomplex in tissues of epidemic hemorrhagic fever in Shaanxi Province, China was both intracellular and extracellular and was perhaps soluble due to antigens in excess, with characteristics quite different from that of other immune diseases.

In the present study, the radioreceptor binding method was used to determine the changes of IP3 content in rat brain and dorsal spinal cord of high frequency (100 Hz) electroacupuncture (EA) analgesia and EA tolerance rat. The control levels of IP3 in rat brain (less cerebellum and cortex) and dorsal spinal cord were 6.3±0.78 pmol/mg protein and 3.4±0.60 pmol/mg protein, respectively. The results showed that IP3 in brain increased gradually within 45 min after stimulation in EA analgesia rat. Meanwhile, the dorsal spinal cord IP3 content decreased significantly 15 min, 30 min after EA stimulation and recovered to control level 45 min after EA stimulation. In EA tolerance rat, IP3 contents markedly increased in brain. And IP3 content in the spinal cord also increased dramatically within 30 min, but decreased rapidly to control level 45 min after EA stimulation. The IP3 level in EA tolerance rat brain and spinal cord was much higher than that in EA analgesia rat (P<0.01). The studies first reported that high frequency (100 Hz) EA may be linked to PI system in its signal transduction pathways.

To identify the role of circulating immune factor(s) in the development of proteinuria, the supernatant of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained from 15 patients with steroid-responsive nephrotic syndrome, and its effect on the synthesis of sulfated compound by cultured rat glomerular epithelial cell (GEC) were studied by 35S, 3H-leucine dual-isotope labelling technique. The result showed that the supernatant of PBMC from 9 patients without steroid treatment increased 35S uptake in GEC (P<0.01), while there was no significant difference in 35S uptake between the 6 patients treated with prednisone (1.5-2.0 mg/kg.d-1) and 6 normal controls.

Mice were given whole-body irradiation (WBI) with 75 mGy X-rays which had previously been found to stimulate immunologic functions. This low dose radiation (LDR) potentiated [Ca2+]i mobilization in thymic and splenic lymphocytes in response to Con A and anti-CD3 McAb and activated protein kinase C in T and B lymphocytes of the spleen. The expression of TCR/CD3 molecules on the thymocytes was enhanced after LDR indicating an expedited maturation and differentiation process in the thymus. The changes in TCR/CD3 expression and [Ca2+]i mobilization in response to McAb-CD3 after LDR was found to be highly correlated. Meanwhile the transcription of c-fos and c-jun genes was up-regulated beginning 3 hours after LDR. The expression of IL2R in active thymocytes was potentiated 24 hours after LDR which coincided with the previous finding of increased secretion of IL2 by splenocytes after WBI with 75 mGy X-rays. It is first reported in the present paper that LDR could stimulate immunologic functions through facilitation of the signal transduction process in the lymphocytes.