Clinical efficacy of fiberoptic ductoscopy in combination with ultrasound-guided minimally invasive surgery in treatment of plasma cell mastitis.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze clinical efficacy between fiberoptic ductoscopy plus ultrasound-guided minimally invasive irrigation and lesion resection in treating plasma cell mastitis (PCM), aiming to provide clinical evidence for treating PCM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 119 patients undergoing fiberoptic ductoscopy plus ultrasound-guided minimally invasive surgery in Ningxia People's Hospital were allocated into the breast duct irrigation group, and 95 counterparts receiving lesion resection in the Affiliated Hospital of Ningxia Medical University into the control group. Clinico-pathological characteristics and therapeutic effect were compared between two groups. RESULTS: The cure rate in the breast duct irrigation group was 98.31% (117/119), significantly higher than 90.53% in the control group (p < 0.05). In the breast duct irrigation group, overall treatment time was 20.13 days, significantly longer than 15.15 days in the control group (p < 0.05). During postoperative follow-up, no recurrence was observed, significantly lower compared with 48.8% (42/86) in the control group. The degree of satisfaction in the breast duct irrigation group was 95.79% (114/119), significantly higher compared with 74.74% (71/95) in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Fiberoptic ductoscopy plus with ultrasound-guided minimally invasive drainage is a novel and effective treatment of PCM with high cure rate, low recurrence rate, slight pain, and effectively maintains breast integrity.

First Report of Potato virus Y in Kalimeris indica in China.

Kalimeris indica, a tall, fecund plant in the family Asteraceae, a native of China, Japan, and Siberia, has been around a long time. It was first mentioned in 1825 and is popular in Europe. It is widely grown in Heilongjiang, Liaoning, Jilin, Hebei, Shanxi, and other provinces in China for its medicinal properties. K. indica is believed to have a clearing effect on eyesight, reduces blood pressure and swelling, and is rich in carotene, which can reduce internal heat, enhancing human immunity. It also grows as a weed around tobacco fields and can transmit viruses to tobacco. In June of 2012, we observed diffuse chlorotic and necrotic spots on the leaves of K. indica in the field in Liaoning Province. Sap extracts from symptomatic plants were tested by direct antigen coated ELISA using polyclonal antibodies specific to Potato virus Y (PVY), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), and Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). Samples were negative for CMV and TMV but positive for PVY. RNA extracted from symptomatic leaves of K. indica was used as template for obtaining PVY genomic sequences. cDNA of the PVY genome were prepared using PrimeScript II High Fidelity RT-PCR Kit (TaKaRa Biotechnology Dalian Co., Ltd) as described by the manufacturer. The strategy for amplification of overlapping genome fragments and determining the 5'-terminal end of the genome by 5'-RACE and 3'-terminal end of the genome by 3'-RACE was described previously (1). PCR amplification was performed using the TaKaRa PrimeSTAR GXL DNA Polymerase (TaKaRa Biotechnology Dalian Co., Ltd) following the manufacturer's instructions with PVY1F(5'-AAAACAACTCAATACAACAT-3'), PVY3R(5'-GTCTCCTGATTGAAGTTTACAGYCACT-3'), R2743 (5'-CTGTTGCTGCCGTGTCAATTAT-3'), F1810 (5'-CTGGCTGAGTTTAGGCGGAAGA-3'), R5868 (5'-GCTTGACTTGCCCATACCAACA-3'), F5711 (5'-CTCACCAGGGCAAGAACAAATC-3'), F830 (5'-ATCTCGCCAGGACGGACAAGTG-3'), R2678 (5'-GCTAAGGCGGACAATAACGATG-3'), R7713 (5'-TTCAGGTAGACGCCGAAGCAAT-3'), F7442 (5'-TTACTGAGGCGGATAAAGAGGA-3'), R8940 (5'-TCCGTTGATGTTTGGCGAGGTT-3'), F1 (5'-AATGAAAATGCCCAAGAGTAAG-3'), F3 (5'-TCTGCGCGATGGAAGTTTGG-3'), R1 (5'-TCTGGGCATCAGTCTTGTATCG-3'), R2 (5'-AACTTCTCGTTTCCCCGCAACT-3') primers. The expected genome sequence was amplified from symptomatic leaves and the amplicon was cloned and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. JQ971975). The complete genome sequence named ME162 was determined to be 9,714 nucleotides in length, excluding the 3'-terminal poly (A) tail. Comparisons of amplicon with the nucleotide sequences available in the NCBI database using BLAST showed 99% identity with PVY from Uganda (GenBank Accession No. DQ157180). The isolate was most closely related to potato virus Y N strain. The serological and sequence data revealed that K. indica plants were infected by PVY. To our knowledge, this is the first report of PVY in K. indica in China. K. indica is an important medicinal plant. This report provides the scientific evidence for virus control on future K. indica plantings. K. indica grows as a weed around tobacco fields and can serve as an indirect host for virus transfer. Controlling virus incidence on K. indica is an important way to protect tobacco from infection by PVY. Reference: (1) J. Chen and J. P. Chen. Chin. J. Virol. 18:371, 2002.

Effects of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of ICOSIg and CTLA4Ig fusion protein on experimental autoimmune myocarditis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic alliance effects of adenovirus vector-mediated gene transfer of ICOSIg and CTLA4Ig fusion protein on experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM). METHODS: Expression vector pAdeno-CTLA4Ig and pAdeno-ICOSIg was constructed and transfected into HEK293 cells. Adenovirus expresses CTLA4Ig and ICOSIg was produced. Ad-CMV-GFP was used as controls. EAM was induced in Lewis rats by injection of procine cardiac myosin. All the immunized rats were divided into four groups. Group A (n = 15) received adenovirus containing CTLA4Ig and ICOSIg from day 14-28; group B (n = 15), group C (n = 15) and group D (n = 15) received adenovirus containing CTLA4Ig, ICOSIg and GFP, respectively. Group E (n = 10) was normal controls never received immunization. On day 28, all the rats were killed after echocardiography examination. Histopathological examination was used to observe inflammation in the myocardium. Western blot was used to detect CTLA4, ICOS, ICOSL and competitive RT-PCR for B7-1, B7-2 expression. T lymphocyte proliferation assay was performed and ELISPOT was used to detect the Th1 and Th2 production. RESULTS: Alliance application of CTLA4Ig and ICOSIg exerts therapeutic effects on EAM. After a treatment duration of 14 days, cardiac function and myocardial inflammation improved significantly compared to group D. Expression of CTLA-4, ICOS and ICOSL, B7-1 was statistically decreased in group A, B and C compared with group D. T-cell proliferation was inhibited by costimulatory blockade in a dose-dependent style. ICOSIg blockade significantly augments IL-4 and IL-10 production while diminished IFN-gamma production. CONCLUSIONS: Blockade of costimulatory pathway with alliance therapy of CTLA4Ig and ICOSIg alleviated autoimmune damage in EAM and improved cardiac function. The mechanisms may be downregulation of costimulatory molecules and anti-inflammation.

Ammonia downregulates GLAST mRNA glutamate transporter in rat astrocyte cultures.

Abnormalities in glutamate metabolism and glutamatergic neurotransmission appear to play an important role in the pathogenesis of hyperammonemia and hepatic encephalopathy. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that treatment of cultured astrocytes with NH4Cl result in decreased glutamate uptake. To extend these observations, we performed a Northern blot analysis of the astroglial glutamate transporter GLAST (EAAT1) in NH4Cl-treated primary rat astrocyte cultures. Following treatment with 2, 5, 10 mM NH4Cl for 3 days, cortical astrocytes showed a 22, 29, 36% decrease in GLAST mRNA, respectively. Striatal astrocytes showed 25, 51, 50% reduction, while cerebellar cultures showed decrements of 18, 37, 38%. Similar decreases in GLAST mRNA were also observed after 1 day of ammonia treatment. These findings, together with recent reports on the reduction of the GLT-1 glutamate transporter in in vivo models of acute liver failure and hyperammonemia, strongly suggest that an abnormality in astroglial glutamate uptake constitutes a critical aspect in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy and other hyperammonemic conditions.

[Reconstruction of nail folds by double pulp flap in congenital complete syndactyly release].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce a surgical approach for reconstruction of nail folds in congenital complete syndactyly release. METHODS: A narrow flap and a broad flap were raised on the common distal phalanx to cover the denuded nail-edge in 30 fingers of 15 cases whose webs were separated. RESULTS: All of the flaps were successfully transferred and survived. The reconstructed nail folds had satisfied figure in 21 out of 30 fingers. The nail folds in the other 9 fingers, covered by a broad flap in 2 fingers and by a narrow flap in 7 fingers, were a little smaller than normal. All of the 30 fingers had normal fullness of pulp and no twisty nails. CONCLUSION: The reconstruction of nail folds by double pulp flap can be performed with a one-stage technique, and the outcome is satisfactory, which make it as a good surgical approach to reconstruct nail folds in congenital complete syndactyly release.

[Replantation of segmental destructive amputation of multiple fingers].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the indication of replantation of destructive amputation of multiple fingers for improvement of the function of injured fingers. METHODS: From February 1996 to August 1999, 23 amputated fingers in 8 cases were shortened and replanted. The crushed digital bones were fixed by Kirschner wires, flexor tendons repaired by Kessler suture technique, and digital extensor tendons repaired by mattress suture. The arteries and veins were anastomosed in each finger at the ratio of 1 to 2 or 2 to 3. The defect of blood vessels was repaired by free graft of autologous veins in 5 fingers. All of the cases were followed up for 10 to 18 months, and clinical evaluation was performed. RESULTS: All replanted fingers survived in the 8 cases, with good sensation, two point discrimination of 6 to 12 mm, and satisfied function, such as pinching, grasping and hooking. The fingers were shortened for 2.6 cm in average, ranging from 2.2 cm to 4.0 cm. CONCLUSION: Multiple digits replantation by shortening fingers is beneficial to functional restoration of segmental destructive fingers.

Monitoring effects of alpha-human atrial natriuretic polypeptide (alpha-hANP) on left ventricular function in patients with essential hypertension with a cardiac probe.

The effects of alpha-hANP on left ventricular function were studied with a cardiac probe in ten patients with essential hypertension. Our data showed that intravenous administration of alpha-hANP significantly elevated left ventricular function. At 5 min, the elevation of EF, RCO, ER, RSV, PFR were 13.23% (P less than 0.02), 12.7 (P less than 0.02), 0.618 (P less than 0.02), 0.133 (P less than 0.05), 0.283 (P less than 0.01), respectively. At 10 min, the increase of EF, ER, were 11.07% (P less than 0.02) and 0.233 (P less than 0.01), respectively. Atriopeptin significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure from 2 min to 20 min (P less than 0.001-0.05).

Purification of ovine prolactin by affinity chromatography with monoclonal antibodies.

Five monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) against ovine prolactin (oPRL) were obtained by the lymphocyte hybridoma technique. One low-affinity McAb with (2D2) was purified by hydroxylapatite chromatography. The 2D2 was immobilized on Sepharose 4B with epichlorohydrin to produce an immunosorbent column, which was used to purify oPRL from a crude preparation by a single-step procedure.