[Disseminated tuberculosis with osteomyelitis of the right little finger as the first manifestation: a case report].

The clinical data of a child with disseminated tuberculosis with osteomyelitis of the right little finger as the first manifestation who was admitted to Tianjin Children's Hospital on April 8, 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The child, a 14-year-old female, presented with osteomyelitis of the right little finger as the first manifestation. She still had recurrent fever after focal incision and drainage. She was referred to our hospital. The samples from multiple sites were positive for molecular biology detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. She was considered as disseminated tuberculosis and was given anti-tuberculosis treatment. The child has recovered well. Pediatric disseminated tuberculosis has variable clinical manifestations and lacks specificity. It is often misdiagnosed and has a high mortality rate. Clinicians should improve their understanding of the disease and ensure early diagnosis and treatment.

[Application of three dimensional printed personalized guide plate assisted arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis in the treatment of ankle arthritis].

Objective: To compare the efficacy of conventional open ankle fusion and three dimensional(3D) printed guide plate assisted arthroscopic ankle fusion. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on 256 patients with advanced traumatic ankle arthritis, who were admitted to the Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from May 2018 to February 2023 and underwent ankle fusion procedures. The study cohort comprised 119 males and 137 females, with an age of (59.6±9.5) years (range: 37 to 83 years). Among them, 175 cases underwent internal fixation with plates and screws (58 cases through the combined medial and lateral approach, and 117 cases through the simple lateral approach), 48 cases underwent internal fixation with screws through the anterior approach (conventional open group), and 33 cases underwent minimally invasive arthroscopic ankle fusion assisted by 3D printed guide plate (3D printed guide plate arthroscopy group). Propensity score matching was employed to achieve a 1∶1 match(caliper value=0.02) between the baseline characteristics of patients in the 3D printed guide plate arthroscopy group and the conventional open group. Perioperative and follow-up data between the two groups were compared using the t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, χ² test or corrected χ² test as appropriate. Results: Matching was successfully achieved with 20 cases in both the 3D printed guide plate arthroscopy group and the conventional open group, and there were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups (all P>0.05). The operation time in the 3D printed guide plate arthroscopy group was significantly longer than that in the conventional open group ((88.9±5.6) minutes vs. (77.9±11.7) minutes;t=-2.392, P=0.022), while the frequency of intraoperative fluoroscopies ((1.7±0.8) times vs. (5.2±1.2) times; t=10.604, P<0.01) and length of hospitalization ((5.5±0.9) days vs. (6.4±1.5) days;t=2.480, P=0.018) were significantly lower in the 3D printed guide plate arthroscopy group compared to the conventional open group. The fusion rate was 95.0% (19/20) in the 3D printed guide plate arthroscopy group and 85.0% (17/20) in the conventional open group, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (χ²=0.278,P=0.598). The fusion time was (12.1±2.0) weeks in the conventional open group and (11.1±1.7) weeks in the 3D printed guide plate arthroscopy group, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (t=1.607, P=0.116). At the final follow-up, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle hindfoot scale was (72.6±5.5)points in the 3D printed guide plate arthroscopy group and (70.5±5.8)points in the conventional open group, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (t=-1.003, P=0.322). The pain visual analogue score of the 3D printed guide plate arthroscopy group was (M(IQR)) 1.50 (1.00) points, lower than that of the conventional open group by 3.00 (1.00) points, with statistically significant differences (Z=-3.937, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in complication rate between the conventional open group and the 3D printed guide plate arthroscopy group (25.0%(5/20) vs. 5.0%(1/20), χ²=1.765，P=0.184). Conclusion: 3D printed guide plate assisted arthroscopic ankle fusion exhibited several advantages, including reduced frequency of fluoroscopies, alleviation of postoperative pain, and decreased complications and length of hospitalization.

[Investigation of the chronic respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function of adult residents in Hongtong County, Shanxi Province].

Objective: To investigate the chronic respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function of adult residents in 3 towns of Hongtong County, Shanxi Province, and to explore their risk factors. Methods: The investigation of chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function status of adult residents in Hongdong County is based on the regional population of the entire county in Hongdong County. The project was initiated by the Science and Technology Department of Linfen City and coordinated by the Hongdong County Government. The investigation will be conducted in 3 townships in Hongdong County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province from April to November 2021: Demographic characteristics, respiratory symptoms, smoking dust exposure and other personal history were collected through questionnaires. Physical examination, routine blood tests and lung function tests were also performed on each individual. SPSS 22.0 software was used to conduct t test, χ2 test, ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test for statistical analysis of the collected information. Results: 10 945 subjects aged 18-102 years were included in the analysis, of whom 3 754 (34.3%) were male, 1 222 (11.2%) had a history of dust exposure, 7 164 (65.5%) had used straw and firewood as cooking fuel, and 3 296 (30.1%) had a history of smoking. Among the participants, 394 (3.6%), 339 (3.1%), and 1 543 (14.1%) had respiratory symptoms such as chronic cough, sputum, and dyspnea. Statistics showed that the population with chronic respiratory symptoms was more elderly and had a smoking history, and the incidence of chronic respiratory symptoms was higher in those who smoked more than 40 packs a year (all P<0.05). Men with a history of dust exposure were more likely to suffer from chronic cough and expectoration, while emaciation and biofuel use for more than 40 years were more likely to suffer from chronic expectoration and dyspnea (all P<0.05). The median values of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC in 1 second were 2.19 L/s, 3.24 L and 69.16%, respectively. Among them, the lung function of 5 801 (53.0%) respondents was lower than the expected value. The median FEV1/FVC decreased with the increase of age. The FEV1/FVC of people over 40 years old with smoking history was lower, the dust exposure history of people with decreased lung function was more than that of people with normal lung function, and the incidence of chronic expectoration and dyspnea was higher in people with decreased lung function (all P<0.05). The absolute value and ratio of eosinophils in patients with decreased ventilation function over 60 years old were significantly higher than those with normal ventilation function, but the level of body mass index (BMI) was lower (all P<0.05). Conclusion: In Hongdong County, Shanxi Province, grassroots residents have poor medical awareness, low lung function examination rate, chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function decline are associated with more risk factors. Primary medical institutions need to formulate prevention strategies and carry out lung function detection according to the actual situation, focusing on monitoring and follow-up of high-risk groups to achieve early and timely prevention, diagnosis and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

[Diffuse midline glioma with H3K27 alteration in adults: a clinicopathological analysis].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, pathological diagnosis and prognosis of diffuse midline glioma (DMG) with H3K27 alteration in adults. Methods: Twenty cases of H3K27-altered adult DMG diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were enrolled from 2017 to 2022. All cases were evaluated by clinical and imaging presentations, HE, immunohistochemical staining and molecular genetics; and the relevant literature was reviewed. Results: The ratio of male to female was 1∶1, and the median age was 53 years (range from 25 to 74 years); the tumors were located in the brainstem (3/20, 15%) and non-brainstem (17/20, 85%; three in thoracolumbar spinal cord and one in pineal region). The clinical manifestations were non-specific, mostly dizziness, headache, blurred vision, memory loss, low back pain, limb sensation and/or movement disorders, etc. Microscopically, the tumors showed infiltrative growth, with WHO grade 2 (3 cases), grade 3 (12 cases), and grade 4 (5 cases). The tumors showed astrocytoma-like and oligdendroglioma-like, pilocytic astrocytoma-like and epithelioid-like patterns. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for GFAP, Olig2 and H3K27M, and H3K27me3 expression was variably lost. ATRX expression was lost in four cases, p53 was strongly positive in 11 cases. Ki-67 index was about 5%-70%. Molecular genetics showed p. k27m mutation in exon 1 of H3F3A gene in 20 cases; BRAF mutation in two cases: V600E and L597Q mutation in one case each. Follow up intervals ranged from 1 to 58 months, and the survival time for brainstem (6.0 months) and non-brainstem (30.4 months) tumors was significantly different (P<0.05). Conclusions: DMG with H3K27 alteration is uncommonly found in adults, mostly occurs in non-brainstem, and can present in adults of all ages. Owing to the wide histomorphologic features, mainly astrocytic differentiation, routine detection of H3K27me3 in midline glioma is recommended. Molecular testing should be performed on any suspected cases to avoid missed diagnosis. Concomitant BRAF L597Q mutation and PPM1D mutation are novel findings. The overall prognosis of this tumor is poor, with tumors located in the brainstem showing worse outcome.

Mental distress and its associations with behavioral outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national survey of Chinese adults.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate associations between mental distress and COVID-19-related changes in behavioral outcomes and potential modifiers (age, gender, educational attainment) of such associations. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. METHODS: An online survey using anonymous network sampling was conducted in China from April to May 2020 using a 74-item questionnaire. A national sample of 10,545 adults in 31 provinces provided data on sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19-related mental distress, and changes in behavioral outcomes. Structural equation models were used for data analyses. RESULTS: After adjusting for covariates, greater mental distress was associated with increased smoking (odds ratio [OR] = 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20-1.68 and OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.31-1.82 per one standard deviation [SD] increase in mental distress) and alcohol consumption (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.45-1.92 and OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.24-1.75 per one SD increase in mental distress) among current smokers and drinkers and with both increased and decreased physical activity (ORs ranged from 1.32 to 1.56). Underweight adults were more likely to lose body weight (≥1 kg; OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.30-2.04), whereas overweight adults were more likely to gain weight (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.46-1.78) by the same amount. Association between mental distress and change in physical activity was stronger in adults aged ≥40 years (ORs ranged from 1.43 to 2.05) and those with high education (ORs ranged from 1.43 to 1.77). Mental distress was associated with increased smoking in males (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.37-1.87) but not females (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 0.82-1.51). CONCLUSIONS: Greater mental distress was associated with some positive and negative changes in behavioral outcomes during the pandemic. These findings inform the design of tailored public health interventions aimed to mitigate long-term negative consequences of mental distress on outcomes.

[Selective tarsometatarsal arthrodesis for old Lisfranc injury].

Objective: To discuss the methods and clinical outcomes of selective tarsometatarsal (TMT) arthrodesis for old Lisfranc injury. Methods: The clinical data of 36 cases with old Lisfranc injury treated by selective arthrodesis from January 2010 to October 2016 in the Department of Orthopedics in Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. There were 16 males and 20 females in this group with a mean age of (40±6) years. The information of pre-operative and post-operative X-ray, American Orthopaedics Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot score and pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score was collected. The complications were also recorded. The pre- and post-operative data were compared with t test. Results: The 36 patients got a follow-up for at-least 2 years (averaged (4.3±1.6) years, ranged from 2 to 8 years). The post-operative AOFAS midfoot score was improved from (44±7)(28-60) to (83±7)(76-97)(t=-37.1, P<0.05), and the VAS score decreased from (6.3±2.5)(5-9) to (1.6±1.3)(0-3)(t=23.7, P<0.05). Implant breakage occurred in two patients and the symptom was relieved after the removal of implants. Conclusion: The selective TMT arthrodesis for old Lisfranc injury may relieve the symptoms, improve the function and life quality of patients by restoring the medial arch and midfoot and forefoot alignment.

[Advances in new type of biomolecular markers for liver fibrosis].

Liver fibrosis is a common pathological process of chronic liver disease, and the number of deaths from liver cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer is increasing year-by-year worldwide. Presently, the detection methods to evaluate hepatic fibrosis mainly include hepatic histological examination, imaging and serum markers, but all these have many limitations in clinical aspects. Recently, there have been more and more studies related to the development of non-coding RNA, exosomes and liver fibrosis that are considered as a new type of biomolecular markers with potential clinical application. Herein, we did a preliminary assessment in conjunction with relevant advances to provide a reference for the early diagnosis and treatment of liver fibrosis.

Expression profile of eukaryotic translation initiation factor and matrix metalloproteinase 9 in endometrial cancer tissue.

The aim of the present study was to provide a novel method for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of endometrial cancer by the determination of the characteristic expression of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) and the enzyme matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) in endometrial cancer tissue. Three types of endometrial tissue specimens were selected (including 20 cases of normal endometrial tissue specimens, 15 cases of hyperplastic endometrial tissue specimens and 45 cases of endometrial cancer tissue specimens). The expression of eIF4E and MMP9 in the specimens was examined by immunohistochemistry and their corresponding levels were statistically analyzed. The positive expression rates of eIF4E and MMP9 in endometrial cancer specimens were 64.44% and 66.67% respectively, which were higher than those noted in hyperplastic endometrial tissue specimens and normal endometrial tissue specimens (p less than 0.05). The comparisons between the groups indicated that the expression levels of eIF4E and MMP9 in the endometrial cancer specimens were increased compared with those noted in the normal endometrial tissue specimens (p less than 0.0167). In endometrial cancer specimens, the positive expression rates of eIF4E and MMP9 were related to the endometrial cancer stages as determined by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), tumor cell differentiation degree and lymphatic metastasis (p less than 0.05) classifications. eIF4E expression was positively related to MMP9 expression in endometrial cancer specimens. High expression levels of eIF4E and MMP9 proteins were noted in endometrial cancer specimens, which were correlated with FIGO stages, histological grade and degree of lymphatic metastasis. Thus, endometrial cancer and malignant biological behavior may be connected to the high expression of eIF4E and MMP9. The positive correlation between eIF4E and MMP9 expression in endometrial cancer specimens suggests their potential up-regulation during carcinogenesis.

Expression and clinical significance of ARTN and MMP-9 in endometrial carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to detect the differential expression of Artemin (ARTN) and matrix metallopeptidase protein 9 (MMP-9) in endometrial carcinoma (EC) and to assess their clinical significance in order to provide insight into the pathological mechanism of tumor infiltration and metastasis in EC. A total of 48 patients who had undergone surgery for EC at the School of Medicine and Affiliated Hospital of HeBei University of Engineering between July 2015 and July 2016 were included in the study. The 48 patients were classified into 3 groups according to tumor stage: 27 patients with EC stage I, 12 patients with EC stage II and 9 patients with EC stage III. The samples collected from each patient included fresh normal endometrial tissue, endometrial simple hyperplastic tissue and endometrial atypical hyperplastic tissue. The transcription levels of ARTN and MMP-9 mRNA in each group were investigated using RT-PCR. The expression levels of ARTN and MMP-9 protein in each group were examined using Western blotting. Spearman’s correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the expression levels of ARTN and MMP-9 proteins and EC tissue type. RT-PCR and Western blotting assays revealed that the expression levels of ARTN and MMP-9 were increased in normal endometrial tissue, simple hyperplastic tissue, atypical hyperplastic tissue and EC of stages I, II and III. The differences noted were statistically significant (P less than 0.05). Furthermore, Western blot analysis indicated that the expression levels of ARTN and MMP-9 proteins in lymphatic metastatic tissues were higher than those in non-lymphatic metastatic tissues (P less than 0.05). The expression levels in the infiltration tissues of the deep muscular layer were higher than those noted in the light muscular layer (P less than 0.05). The expression levels of ARTN and MMP-9 proteins were positively correlated (P less than 0.05). The data suggest that ARTN and MMP-9 are involved in the occurrence, development, invasion and metastasis of EC, and play a synergistic role in the development of EC and lymphatic metastasis.

Dataset of wind blow sand erosion test on ultrasonic surface treated cementitious composites.

In this paper, we take cement mortar and paste as specimens, a novelty method named ultrasonic surface treatment(UST) was employed to form a hardening surface layer on cementitious specimens to improve its wind-blown sand erosion resistance, surface hardness and apparent density. The specimens with curing ages of 1-day, 3-days, 7-days, and 28-days were adopted. The wind blown sand erosion test was carried out in a wind-blown sand erosion test system, which simulated a wind blown sand environment of a wind speed of 30 m/s and a sand feed rate of 30 g/min. The erosion angle of 30°, 60°, 90° were adopted. The mass loss in erosion process was measured, then the erosion resistance was calculated. The surface hardness was tested with a Vickers micro hardness tester. The apparent density of cement paste was measured with mass volume method. The data provided reveal the improvement on wind blown sand erosion resistance, surface hardnenss and apparent density of cementitious materials with ultrasonic surface treatment. That may be used in the investigation on improving the erosion resistance and to evaluate the effectiveness of the UST method on cementitious materials.

Association between magnesium : iron intake ratio and diabetes in Chinese adults in Jiangsu Province.

BACKGROUND: The intake of iron is positively related to the risk of diabetes, whilst magnesium intake is inversely related. However, it is unknown whether there is an interaction between dietary magnesium and iron expressed as a ratio and diabetes. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional household survey carried out in 2002 in Jiangsu Province, China. A total of 2849 men and women aged >or = 20 years participated (participation rate 89.0%). Iron and magnesium intake was assessed by 3-day weighed food records. Fasting plasma glucose, serum ferritin and haemoglobin were measured. RESULTS: The mean intake of iron and magnesium was 25 mg/day and 332 mg/day, respectively. The prevalence of diabetes was 3.0% in men and 2.6% in women. Magnesium intake was negatively associated with diabetes when adjusted for age and sex, but not in a fully adjusted model. A strong inverse association between magnesium : iron intake ratio and diabetes was observed. In the fully adjusted model, the odds ratios of diabetes across quartiles of magnesium : iron intake ratio were: 1.0, 0.63 [95% confidence interval 0.32-1.25], 0.36 (0.16-0.81) and 0.48 (0.20-1.14) (P for trend 0.038). There was an interaction between central obesity and magnesium : iron ratio. CONCLUSION: Magnesium : iron intake ratio is an independent risk marker for diabetes in Chinese adults. As this is a cross-sectional study, we cannot establish any causal relationship.

Mechanical properties, in vitro corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of metal injection molded Ti-12Mo alloy for dental applications.

A biocompatible Ti-12Mo alloy was fabricated by metal injection moulding (MIM) using non-spherical titanium, molybdenum powders and a purposely designed binder. The density, microstructure and tensile properties were characterized. This was followed by a detailed assessment of its in vitro corrosion and biocompatibility performances, compared with that of two commonly used titanium-based materials extra low interstitial (ELI) Ti-6Al-4V and commercially pure (CP) titanium. The MIM-fabricated Ti-12Mo alloy can achieve a wide range of mechanical properties through controlling sintering process. Specimens sintered at 1400 °C are characterized by fairly uniform near-ß microstructure and high relative density of 97.6%, leading to the highest tensile strength of 845.3 ±â€¯21 MPa and elongation of 4.15 ±â€¯0.2% while the highest elastic modulus of 73.2 ±â€¯5.1 GPa. Owing to the formation of protective TiO2-MoO3 passive film, the MIM-fabricated Ti-12Mo alloy exhibits the highest corrosion resistance including the noblest corrosion potential, the lowest corrosion current density and the highest pitting potential in four different electrolytes. The in vitro cytotoxicity test suggests that the MIM-fabricated Ti-12Mo alloy displays no adverse effect on MC3T3-E1 cells with cytotoxicity ranking of 0 grade, which is nearly close to ELI Ti-6Al-4V or CP Ti. These properties together with its easy net-shape manufacturability make Ti-12Mo an attractive new dental implant alloy.

Downregulation of miR-218 contributes to epithelial-mesenchymal transition and tumor metastasis in lung cancer by targeting Slug/ZEB2 signaling.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been recognized as a key element of cell migration and invasion in lung cancer; however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. Recently, emerging evidence suggest that miRNAs have crucial roles in control of EMT and EMT-associated traits such as migration, invasion and chemoresistance. Here, we found that miR-218 expression levels were significantly downregulated in lung cancer tissues compared with adjacent non-cancerous tissues, and the levels of miR-218 were significantly associated with histological grades and lymph node metastasis. Overexpression of miR-218 inhibited cell migration and invasion as well as the EMT process. Of particular importance, miR-218 was involved in the metastatic process of lung cancer cells in vivo by suppressing local invasion and distant colonization. We identified Slug and ZEB2 as direct functional targets of miR-218. Inverse correlations were observed between miR-218 levels and Slug/ZEB2 levels in cancer tissue samples. In addition, overexpression of miR-218 in H1299 increased chemosensitivity of cells to cisplatin treatment through suppression of Slug and ZEB2. These findings highlight an important role of miR-218 in the regulation of EMT-related traits and metastasis of lung cancer in part by modulation of Slug/ZEB2 signaling, and provide a potential therapeutic strategy by targeting miR-218 in NSCLC.

Inhibition of hypoxia-induced angiogenesis by trichostatin A via suppression of HIF-1a activity in human osteosarcoma.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether trichostatin A (TSA), a HDAC specific inhibitor, inhibited the induction and functional activity of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 a(HIF-1a) and hypoxia-induced angiogenesis in vitro in human osteosarcoma. The relationship between expression of HIF-1a proteion and angiogenesis in tumor specimens was also studied. Hypoxic regulation of VEGF was studied by RT-PCR, western blotting analysis and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of HIF-la and VEGF in human osteosarcoma specimens was studied by immunohistochemical analysis. Under hypoxia, no regulation of HIF-1a mRNA expression was found. However, HIF-1a protein levels increased dramatically in response to hypoxia. Hypoxia increased VEGF mRNA level, but it was significantly inhibited by trichostatin A in a time- and dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Strongly positive immunostaining for HIF-1a and VEGF were detectable in the nuclear and cytoplasm of osteosarcoma cells. HIF-1a expressing cells were prominent in areas with high MVD. Significant correlation were found between HIF-1a expression and MVD (p = 0.005, r = 0.767), as well as between VEGF and MVD (p < 0.002, r = 0.701) by Spearman's rank coefficient analysis. These results indicated that HIF-1a is a key factor responsible for angiogenesis by the induction of VEGF. TSA downregulates hypoxia-response genes and hypoxia-induced angiogenesis by the suppression of HIF-1a activity.

Csa-19, a radiation-responsive human gene, identified by an unbiased two-gel cDNA library screening method in human cancer cells.

A novel polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method was used to identify candidate genes whose expression is altered in cancer cells by ionizing radiation. Transcriptional induction of randomly selected genes in control versus irradiated human HL60 cells was compared. Among several complementary DNA (cDNA) clones recovered by this approach, one cDNA clone (CL68-5) was downregulated in X-irradiated HL60 cells but unaffected by 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate, forskolin, or cyclosporin-A. DNA sequencing of the CL68-5 cDNA revealed 100% nucleotide sequence homology to the reported human Csa-19 gene. Northern blot analysis of RNA from control and irradiated cells revealed the expression of a single 0.7-kilobase (kb) messenger RNA (mRNA) transcript. This 0.7-kb Csa-19 mRNA transcript was also expressed in a variety of human adult and corresponding fetal normal tissues. Moreover, when the effect of X- or fission neutron-irradiation on Csa-19 mRNA was compared in cultured human cells differing in p53 gene status (p53-/- versus p53+/+), downregulation of Csa-19 by X-rays or fission neutrons was similar in p53-wild type and p53-null cell lines. Our results provide the first known example of a radiation-responsive gene in human cancer cells whose expression is not associated with p53, adenylate cyclase or protein kinase C.

Rodent cell transformation and immediate early gene expression following 60-Hz magnetic field exposure.

Some epidemiological studies suggest that exposure to power frequency magnetic fields (MFs) may be associated with an elevated risk of human cancer, but the experimental database remains limited and controversial. We investigated the hypothesis that 60-Hz MF action at the cellular level produces changes in gene expression that can result in neoplastic transformation. Twenty-four hour 200 microT continuous MF exposure produced negative results in two standard transformation systems (Syrian hamster embryo cells and C3H/10T1/2 murine fibroblasts) with or without postexposure to a chemical promoter. This prompted a reexamination of previously reported MF-induced changes in gene expression in human HL60 cells. Extensive testing using both coded and uncoded analyses was negative for an MF effect. Using the same exposure conditions as in the transformation studies, no MF-induced changes in ornithine decarboxylase expression were observed in C3H/10T1/2 cells, casting doubt on a promotional role of MF for the tested cells and experimental conditions.

Experimental study and clinical use of the fasciosteal flap.

Thirty-seven domestic rabbits, 4 dogs, and 2 freshly amputated human limbs were divided into three groups as three different models of fasciosteal flaps that were taken from the distal radii or the tibiae. Through the methods of histology, fluorochrome bone labeling, and perfusing stain, it was confirmed that viability of the bone graft can be maintained by blood flow by means of the fascial route. This technique was used for treating eight patients with nonunion of such different fractured sites as the scaphoid, the talus, and so forth or with osteomyelitic tibial defects or both skin and tibial defects. With 8 to 15 months of follow-up, the osteomyelitis cleared uneventfully and the fracture healed. Patients recovered their normal function. We think that there are at least three routes for the blood supply from deep fascia to bone: direct blood supply, blood supply by means of bone membrane, and blood supply by means of the intermuscular septum. We feel that the fasciosteal flap is an ideal random-pattern vascularized bone graft.

[Comparison of mosquito larvicidal efficacy between microbial encapsulated BTI (EBTI) and standard BTI (SBTI)].

A comparative study was conducted on the efficacy of mosquito larvicides EBTI and SBTI. The results showed that: 1. The residual efficacy of EBTI was remarkably higher than that of SBTI at 0.007-0.002ppm BTI concentration (P < 0.01), the mosquito larvae mortality of EBTI remained 100% until the 4th week; in contrast, the mosquito larva mortality of SBTI gradually and obviously declined from the 2nd to 4th week after treatment (x2 = 8.17-24.08), and reached 0 at the 4th week. 2. The lowest BTI concentration of EBTI at which a high efficacy persisted for 4 weeks was 0.007ppm BTI, the mosquito larva mortality remaining 100%.