Volume 98  ·   Issue 07  ·  1985

Cytogenetic data on the basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS) are scanty. So far, we have not seen any reports on the cytogenetic study of this syndrome using G-banding and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) techniques either in China or abroad. This article presents the results of a systematic genetic study of BCNS in a single family. No abnormalities in chromosome number or structure was found. However, the SCE frequenncy in an affected individual who developed cancerous changes was significantly higher than that of an unaffected person, or an affected person without malignant changes of the nevi. This can be used as an indicator of malignant change in pigmented nevi.

In this article the authors study the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) by researching into the characteristics of alveolar micro circulation of animals. Three experiments are done for the effects of various factors: a. Outlet resistance of alveolar microcirculation; b. intra-arteriolar microemboli; and c. pressure gradient between the alveolar microvascular pressure (P) and the alveolar pressure (PAL) on the development of lung injury in ARDS. The experimental results show that increase of P is primarily responsible for, while pressure gradient between P and PAL is the essential condition for the development of alveolar tissue damage. Whenever the two factors coexist, damage of alveolar tissues will inevitably occur. The essence of the pathogenesis of ARDS is that inflow of alveolar microcirculation outweighs the outflow, causing the increase of P value and damage of alveolar tissues.

5 cases of diabetic oculomotor palsy were re ported. Their clinical features were sudden onset, unilateral diplopia, frontal headache or pain in the eye and spontaneous recovery. The pupils were normal. It is important to differentiate diabetic oculomotor palsy from that caused by intracranial aneurysm.

Serum TSH, TT4, TT3, T3uR, FT3I FT4I and T3/T4 levels in 206 elderly (over 60 years old) were compared with those of normal adults. The serum TT4, TT3, FT3I and FT3I levels in the elderly are significantly lower than in normal adults (p<0.01), but there was no significant difference in the serum T3/T4 ratio. The relative correlation coefficients of serum TSH with TT4, TT3, FT3I and T3/T4 were -0.2148, 0.6315, 0.3687 and 0.3083, indicating marked correlation (p<0.01). The relative correlation coefficients of serum TSH with T3uR and FT4I were 0.263 and -0.1256, demonstrating no marked correlation(P<0.05). The factors influencing the levels of TSH and thyroidal hormones in the aged are briefly discussed.

This paper describes observations on oxygen equilibrium charateristics of four abnormal hemoglobins. Hb J Bangkok behaves similarly as Hb A, Oxygen equilibrium of Hb Shuangfeng is characteriz ed by an oxygen affinity l.5-fold that of HbA at pH 7.4 and 25 C, a biphasic curve of Hill plot with n=1.1 when Y<25% and a normal Bohr effect, while its counterpart HbE shows oxygenation properties nearly identical to HbA. Hb New York exhibits reduced oxygen affinity, a slight decrease of Bohr effect, and an increased oxygenation heat, but its cooperativity and response to inositol hexaphosphate are normal. Possible stereochemical interpretations are made on the basis of the hemoglobin model constructed by Perutz and his associates.

This article discusses the allergies caused by paragonimus antigen skin test challenge, including reactive lymphangitis hypersensitivity, inhibited allergy (pseudonegative) and protracted local pruritus. Some of the patients, after the skin test, became dizzy, nau seated and even went into anaphylactic shock. The occurrence of hypersensitive reaction increased in proportion to the number of antigenic challenges.

The results of determination of plasma testosterone, estrone and estradiol levels by radioimmunoassay in 47 patients with breast cancer and 65 healthy controls are reported. The plasma testosterone level in patients before operation was 4 times as high as in the healthy controls (p<0.001) and the estrone, 2.5 times. No significant difference was found, however, in estradiol, nor in these three hormones between patients (after operation) and healthy controls. The results suggest that testosterone is likely to be a tumor marker, and thus may help determine existence and judge regression or relapse of tumor.

The plasma levels of PGE, PGF2a and 6-keto-PGF1a in the canine model of endotoxic shock were determined with radioimmunoassay. Following endotoxin injection, the PGF2a levels were rapidly increased to peak at 5 minutes. There was a negative correlation between the PGE level and the change in total systemic peripheral resistance at early stage of shock. The administration of anisodamine 2 hours after endotoxin injection showed no effect on the changes of PGE and PGF2a levels in the shocked dogs. The plasma levels of PGE and PGF2a in the shocked children with fulminating epidemic meningococcal meningitis were also markedly elevated during shock but fell within normal range at convalessence. After the dogs were given endotoxin the plasma level of 6-keto-PGF1a increased slowly during the first hour, reached a peak at 2 hours and remained high for 12 hours. There was a negative correlation between the 6-keto-PGF1a level and the blood pressure. The plasma 6-keto-PGF1a level was decreased and the blood pressure improved correspondingly with a negative linear correlation as a result of administration of anisodamine 5-10 minutes after endotoxin injection. These results suggested that PGE and PGI2, as one of the humoral factors, might participate at least partially in the endotoxin induced hypotension, and that the inhibition of PGI2 synthesis was considered contributable to certain degree to the antishock effect of anisodamine.

213 0utpatients with psoriasis seen during the years 1949-1976 were reported. The severity of the disease was not related to the sex, age, mode of onset, the time the patient first sought medical advice, and family history (with or without psoriasis and alcohol addict). It was, however, markedly related to the course of the disease and the anticancer drugs used. Of the 213 cases, 7 (3.29%) developed malignant tumors, an incidence 8.4 times higher than in the normal population of the same age in the locality (p<0.001). Of the 11 deaths, 5 were due to malignant tumors. Hence in clinical practice the relationship between malignant tumor and psoriasis deserves par ticular attention.

A method for rapidly determining levels of urinary fluorescent compounds in cancer detection is evaluated. While 60 healthy human subjects excreted fluorescent compounds at a mean level of 0.252 μg/ml urine, 50 patients with various types of cancer excreted significantly higher levels ranging from 0.28 to 2.21 μg/ml. The mean excretion of 50 patients with various non-malignant diseases was 0.346 μg/ml. This method is simple and noninvasive in detection of prevailing malignancies.