[Study on the effect of slightly acid hypochlorous water on dental unit waterlines biofilm model].

Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm was established on PU and PVC's surface by Center of Disease Control (CDC) Biofilm Reactor, to evaluate the effectiveness of Slightly Acidic Hypochlorous water (SAHW) for removing Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm on Polyurethane (PU) or Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), which are commonly used in dental unit waterlines (DUWL). The biofilms were treated with 10 mg/L SAHW, 40 mg/L SAHW and sterile distilled water (control group) by the continuous immersion method for 3, 7, and 10 days. The total viable count (TVC) and Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) were selected to evaluate the biofilm removal effect and calculate the biofilm reduction rate. The results of TVC showed that 99%-100% biofilm reduction could be achieved in 10 mg/L SAHW group and 40 mg/L SAHW group. The results of CLSM showed that 10 mg/L SAHW group and 40 mg/L SAHW group could reach 89%-100% biofilm reduction after 10 days of treatment.

[Anatomical recognition of pancreatic membrane and its application in surgery].

With the rise of domestic membrane anatomy and preliminary establishment of theoretical framework, the operation concepts supported by membrane anatomy are gaining popularity in surgery, especially in abdominal surgery. However, on account of a deep location and the complexity of organs and tissues around the pancreas and mesangial membrane, there is no unified understanding about the pancreas mesangial by experts and scholars. Meanwhile, few studies on it have been conducted. In addition, the location and extent of total mesangectomy based on the mesangial pancreatic theory are also controversial. The purpose of this article is to summarize the anatomy of pancreatic membrane and its application in surgery, in order to provide support for current studies on pancreatic mesangial anatomy.

[Dietary intake of sodium and potassium among adult inhabitants and evaluation of survey methods in Tianjin in 2015].

Objective: To understand the status and food sources of daily dietary intake of sodium and potassium among adult inhabitants in Tianjin city, and to compare the consistence of sodium and potassium intake determined by combination of 3 consecutive 24-hour recalls and weighing family condiments (3 d dietary survey method) with 24 h urine sodium and potassium determination. Methods: Multistage cluster sampling method was applied to select 1 955 adult inhabitants from 840 households of 7 districts in Tianjin in 2015. Questionnaire survey was used to obtain basic information, 3 d dietary method was used to obtain dietary information, and 450 subjects was selected by systematic random sampling method for 24 h urine collection and determination of sodium and potassium, and 153 complete 24 h urine samples were selected by the coefficient of urinary creatinine excretion, then the consistence of the determination was compared with 3 d dietary survey method. Results: 1 828 subjects were enrolled in this study with age of (54.6±14.7) years, among which 858 were male (46.9%). The average standard intake of sodium and potassium per people per day were (5 631.2±3 372.1) mg and (1 662.1±750.5) mg, while the average actual daily intake were (5 315.8±3 196.5) mg and (1 560.7±696.8) mg. 98.7% (1 804/1 828) of the subjects had dietary sodium intake exceeding the recommended adequate intake of China residents(1 300-1 500 mg/d), while 78.5% (1 435/1 828) consumed dietary potassium below the recommended adequate intake(2 000 mg/d). The main resource of sodium was condiments, among which cooking salt accounted for 61.5%, soy sauce accounted for 11.2%. Potassium mainly came from cereals (32.4%) and vegetables (18.1%). Compared with the 24 h urine sodium method, 3 d dietary method overestimated the sodium intake with a gap [median (P(25), P(75))] as 401.7 (-1 130.6, 1 939.5) mg/d with statistical difference (P<0.05). The gap [median (P(25)-P(75))] for potassium between the two methods was 79.1 (-577.5, 565.2) mg/d, without statistical difference (P>0.05). Conclusion: The dietary intake of sodium is high while potassium is low among adults inhabitants in Tianjin city. Compared with the 24 h urine sodium and potassium determination, the 3 d dietary method has a good consistency in evaluating the dietary potassium intake level of the population, but overestimates the dietary sodium intake.

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry reference data for GE Lunar systems.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 1999-2004) includes adult and pediatric comparisons for total body bone and body composition results. Because dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements from different manufacturers are not standardized, NHANES reference values currently are applicable only to a single make and model of Hologic DXA system. The purpose of this study was to derive body composition reference curves for GE Healthcare Lunar DXA systems. Published values from the NHANES 1999-2004 survey were acquired from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Using previously reported cross-calibration equations between Hologic and GE-Lunar, we converted the total body and regional bone and soft-tissue measurements from NHANES 1999-2004 to GE-Lunar values. The LMS (LmsChartMaker Pro Version 3.5) curve fitting method was used to generate GE-Lunar reference curves. Separate curves were generated for each sex and ethnicity. The reference curves were also divided into pediatric (≤20 years old) and adult (>20 years old) groups. Adult reference curves were derived as a function of age. Additional relationships of pediatric DXA values were derived as a function of height, lean mass, and bone area. Robustness was tested between Hologic and GE-Lunar Z-score values. The NHANES 1999-2004 survey included a sample of 20,672 participants' (9630 female) DXA scans. A total of 8056 participants were younger than 20 yr and were included in the pediatric reference data set. Participants enrolled in the study who weighed more than 136 kg (over scanner table limit) were excluded. The average Z-scores comparing the new GE-Lunar reference curves are close to zero, and the standard deviation of the Z-scores are close to one for all variables. As expected, all measurements on the GE-Lunar reference curves for participants younger than 20 yr increase monotonically with age. In the adult population, most of the curves are constant at younger age and drop moderately as age increases. We have presented NHANES reference curves applicable to DXA whole-body scans acquired on GE Healthcare Lunar systems by age, sex and ethnicity. Users of GE Healthcare GE-Lunar DXA systems can now benefit from the large body composition reference data set collected in the NHANES 1999-2004 study.

Predicting the response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation for rectal cancer using nomograms based on MRI tumour regression grade.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop nomograms that combine clinical factors and MRI tumour regression grade to predict the pathological response of mid-low locally advanced rectal cancer to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. METHODS: The retrospective study included 204 patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery between January 2013 and December 2021. Based on pathological tumour regression grade, patients were categorized into four groups: complete pathological response (pCR, n=45), non-complete pathological response (non-pCR; n=159), good pathological response (pGR, n=119), and non-good pathological response (non-pGR, n=85). The patients were divided into a training set and a validation set in a 7:3 ratio. Based on the results of univariate and multivariate analyses in the training set, two nomograms were respectively constructed to predict complete and good pathological responses. Subsequently, these predictive models underwent validation in the independent validation set. The prognostic performances of the models were evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: The nomogram predicting complete pathological response incorporates tumour length, post-treatment mesorectal fascia involvement, white blood cell count, and MRI tumour regression grade. It yielded an AUC of 0.787 in the training set and 0.716 in the validation set, surpassing the performance of the model relying solely on MRI tumour regression grade (AUCs of 0.649 and 0.530, respectively). Similarly, the nomogram predicting good pathological response includes the distance of the tumour's lower border from the anal verge, post-treatment mesorectal fascia involvement, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, and MRI tumour regression grade. It achieved an AUC of 0.754 in the training set and 0.719 in the validation set, outperforming the model using MRI tumour regression grade alone (AUCs of 0.629 and 0.638, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Nomograms combining MRI tumour regression grade with clinical factors may be useful for predicting pathological response of mid-low locally advanced rectal cancer to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The proposed models could be applied in clinical practice after validation in large samples.

The association between circulating oestradiol levels and severity of liver disease in males with hepatitis B virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Males have a strikingly increased risk of advanced liver disease. This study was designed to investigate the association between sex hormone levels and different disease states in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected male patients. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty-two male patients, including 30 with acute hepatitis B (AHB), 127 with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 95 with chronic severe hepatitis B (CSHB), and 48 healthy controls (HCs) were enroled in this study. All patients were followed for 4 months. The primary end point was in-hospital mortality at the end of 90 days. At study entry, a blood sample was collected from all subjects to examine liver function, renal function and sex hormone levels (serum total testosterone and oestradiol). A total of nine clinical chemistry and biochemical variables were analyzed for possible association with outcomes by using Cox proportional hazards and multiple regression models. RESULTS: We demonstrated that in CSHB and CHB patients, oestradiol levels were significantly increased compared with HCs and AHB patients, whereas no significant differences were observed in AHB patients and HCs. All male patients had normal levels of testosterone which were not significantly different compared with those of HCs. Increased oestradiol levels were clinically associated with severe liver disease, and increased 3-month mortality rate. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that oestradiol and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score were independent predictors for mortality (both P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Oestradiol levels are significantly increased in male patients with hepatitis B, and were associated with the severity of liver disease. Moreover, elevation of oestradiol is an independent predictive factor for the 3-month mortality rate in male patients with hepatitis B.

[Study on the diet balance index and its relationship with blood uric acid of smoking adults in Tianjin].

Objective: Diet balance index (DBI_16) was used to evaluate the dietary status of smoking adults in Tianjin, and the relationship between DBI_16 and serum uric acid was analyzed. Methods: A total of 1 478 inhabitants aged 18 and above were enrolled. The dietary status was obtained with a 3-day dietary recall and condiment weighing method. And their fasting venous blood was collected to detect uric acid. Food intake and DBI_16 scores of smokers and non-smokers were described, and the relationship among smoking, diet quality distance (DQD-DBI), and serum uric acid was analyzed. Results: The intake of vegetables, fruits, and milk of smokers in Tianjin was lower than while the salt, oil, cereals, and aquatic products were higher than that of non-smokers. The DBI_16 scores of vegetables and fruits, food types, milk, and beans of smokers were lower than those of non-smokers in Tianjin, and the scores of pure energy foods and condiments were higher than those of the non-smokers. The DQD-DBI, high bound score and low bound score of smokers in Tianjin were 42.0, 14.0, and 29.0 respectively, which were all higher than those of non-smokers. The main problems appeared as moderately inadequate intake (accounting for 67.0%), low, excessive intake (accounting for 70.9%), and moderate imbalance of intake (accounting for 67.2%). The serum uric acid of smokers was higher than in the non-smokers, and there the same result appeared under the conditions of "not suitable" in DQD-DBI. Conclusions: In Tianjin, the dietary imbalance was more evident in smokers than the non-smokers, and the serum uric acid was significantly higher than the non-smokers. Strategies as strengthening the nutrition education and intervention targeted for smokers were in urgent need.

[Study of influence of birth weight on risk of chronic diseases and blood uric acid in adulthood].

Objective: To understand the influence of birth weight on the risk of chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, and the relationship between birth weight and serum uric acid in adulthood. Methods: According to the Chinese Adult Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance Program, a total of 1 131 residents aged 18 years and above were enrolled from Hexi, Nankai, Hongqiao, Wuqing, Jinnan, Baodi and Jizhou districts of Tianjin. The data of birth weight and blood pressure of the residents were collected, and fasting venous blood samples were collected from them to detect uric acid, blood glucose and blood lipids levels. The distribution of birth weight of the surveyed population was described, and the relationship between birth weight and chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, and the blood uric acid level in adulthood were analyzed. Results: The average birth weight of the surveyed population in Tianjin was 3.37 kg, which was higher in males than in females. No matter overweight/obesity, hypertension or diabetes, the prevalence rate of normal birth weight was the lowest in adulthood. After univariate logistic regression analysis and adjusting for age, sex, smoking and drinking status, it was found that compared with normal birth weight, low birth weight had a stronger correlation with diabetes (OR=2.91,95%CI:1.46-5.76) and dyslipidemia (OR=1.79,95%CI:1.01-3.19) in adulthood. Macrosomia was strongly associated with overweight/obesity in adulthood (OR=1.47, 95%CI:1.08-2.01). There was no significant difference in serum uric acid level among the residents with different birth weights. Conclusions: The low birth weight of the surveyed population in Tianjin was closely related to the risk of diabetes and dyslipidemia in adulthood, and the macrosomia was closely related to the risk of overweight/obesity in adulthood.

[Relationship between both duration and quality of sleep, and metabolic syndrome identified by classification tree model in midlife population in Tianjin].

Objective: To study the association of duration and quality of sleep with metabolic syndrome. Methods: Multi-stage cluster random sampling method was used to extract data from the '2015 adult chronic disease and nutrition monitoring population project' from 42 communities of 7 districts in Tianjin. A total of 1 388 residents aged 45 to 59 years old were selected to analyze the relationship between both duration and quality of sleep and the metabolic syndrome. χ(2) test, non-conditional logistic regression and classification tree models were used for data analysis. Result: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome appeared as 30.4%, 37.4 % and 43.1% in the poor, common or well sleep groups respectively. The prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome in the sleep time <6.0 h and >7.5 h, 6.0-7.5 h groups were 36.5% and 30.6% respectively. After adjusting for gender and age, results from the logistic regression analysis showed that short or long sleep duration, as well as poor sleep quality all appeared as risk factors on metabolic syndrome (P<0.05). According to the classification tree model, factors as gender (importance: 0.004, standardized importance: 100%), quality of sleep (importance: 0.004, standardized importance: 99.5%), duration of sleep (importance: 0.002, standardized importance: 38.6%), education level (importance: 0.001, standardized importance: 22.3%) and salt intake (importance: 0.001, standardized importance: 22.2%) were all important on metabolic syndrome and with interactive effects. Conclusions: Both quality and duration of sleep were important influencing factors on metabolic syndrome among midlife population in Tianjin. More attention should be paid to sleep and health status among the midlife population. Ability on self-management of health should also be strengthened through health education, to prevent metabolic syndrome and other chronic diseases in this population.

Study on mechanism of wet air oxidation of emulsification wastewater.

Wet air oxidation (WAO) can effectively be used to treat high-concentration, non-biodegradable emulsification wastewater that contains nonionic matters. Gas chromatograph analysis of emulsification wastewater after oxidation indicated that a catalyst increased production of fatty acids but could not promote its oxidation between 160 and 180 degrees C. When the temperature was greater than or equal to 220 degrees C, the catalyst not only increased production of fatty acids initially but effectively promoted its oxidation in later stages and significantly reduced the concentration of residual surfactants. Experiments proved that fatty acids (especially acetic acid) were the primary intermediate products and that oxidation of these acids was the rate-limiting step. During the process of catalytic WAO of emulsification wastewater, active oxygen molecules attacked organic matters resulting in production of fatty acids, ketone, alcohol, hydrocarbon, and oligo-polyether through radical chain reactions.

Favorable effects of hydroxychloroquine on serum low density lipid in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has shown to have significant immunomodulatory effects in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Current studies show favorable effects of HCQ on traditional cardiac risk factors in patients with SLE. This review examined the effects of HCQ on serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level in patients with SLE. METHODS: A systematic search of seven major literature search databases from their inception until 3 April, 2017 identified nine studies. Random-effects pooled mean difference with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. Heterogeneity was measured by I2 . Publication bias was assessed by visual inspection of funnel plots. Sensitivity analysis examined whether HCQ effect on serum total cholesterol level was similar to the main analysis. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system was used to assess the overall quality of evidence. RESULTS: Pooled study participants were 559 patients from eight observation studies (two before-after studies; six case-control studies) examining the effects of HCQ on serum LDL. Pooled study participants' characteristics were as follows: mean age 45.719, female 95.262%, and prednisone use 58.366%. HCQ reduced mean LDL levels by 24.397 mg/dL (95% CI 8.921-39.872; P = 0.002). The number of studies identifying statin use was too few to perform meta-regression analysis of statin use. Heterogeneity was extensive (I2 = 94.739%). Symmetrical funnel plot visualized no evidence of publication bias. CONCLUSION: HCQ was associated with serum LDL level reduction by mean 24.397 mg/dL in patients with SLE. Future prospective studies are need to fully characterize the treatment effect.

Novel Gal3 proteins showing altered Gal80p binding cause constitutive transcription of Gal4p-activated genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Gal4p-mediated activation of galactose gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae normally requires both galactose and the activity of Gal3p. Recent evidence suggests that in cells exposed to galactose, Gal3p binds to and inhibits Ga180p, an inhibitor of the transcriptional activator Gal4p. Here, we report on the isolation and characterization of novel mutant forms of Gal3p that can induce Gal4p activity independently of galactose. Five mutant GAL3(c) alleles were isolated by using a selection demanding constitutive expression of a GAL1 promoter-driven HIS3 gene. This constitutive effect is not due to overproduction of Gal3p. The level of constitutive GAL gene expression in cells bearing different GAL3(c) alleles varies over more than a fourfold range and increases in response to galactose. Utilizing glutathione S-transferase-Gal3p fusions, we determined that the mutant Gal3p proteins show altered Gal80p-binding characteristics. The Gal3p mutant proteins differ in their requirements for galactose and ATP for their Gal80p-binding ability. The behavior of the novel Gal3p proteins provides strong support for a model wherein galactose causes an alteration in Gal3p that increases either its ability to bind to Gal80p or its access to Gal80p. With the Gal3p-Gal80p interaction being a critical step in the induction process, the Gal3p proteins constitute an important new reagent for studying the induction mechanism through both in vivo and in vitro methods.

The Gal3p-Gal80p-Gal4p transcription switch of yeast: Gal3p destabilizes the Gal80p-Gal4p complex in response to galactose and ATP.

The Gal3, Gal80, and Gal4 proteins of Saccharomyces cerevisiae comprise a signal transducer that governs the galactose-inducible Gal4p-mediated transcription activation of GAL regulon genes. In the absence of galactose, Gal80p binds to Gal4p and prohibits Gal4p from activating transcription, whereas in the presence of galactose, Gal3p binds to Gal80p and relieves its inhibition of Gal4p. We have found that immunoprecipitation of full-length Gal4p from yeast extracts coprecipitates less Gal80p in the presence than in the absence of Gal3p, galactose, and ATP. We have also found that retention of Gal80p by GSTG4AD (amino acids [aa] 768 to 881) is markedly reduced in the presence compared to the absence of Gal3p, galactose, and ATP. Consistent with these in vitro results, an in vivo two-hybrid genetic interaction between Gal80p and Gal4p (aa 768 to 881) was shown to be weaker in the presence than in the absence of Gal3p and galactose. These compiled results indicate that the binding of Gal3p to Gal80p results in destabilization of a Gal80p-Gal4p complex. The destabilization was markedly higher for complexes consisting of G4AD (aa 768 to 881) than for full-length Gal4p, suggesting that Gal80p relocated to a second site on full-length Gal4p. Congruent with the idea of a second site, we discovered a two-hybrid genetic interaction involving Gal80p and the region of Gal4p encompassing aa 225 to 797, a region of Gal4p linearly remote from the previously recognized Gal80p binding peptide within Gal4p aa 768 to 881.

Improved Electrochemical Performance of Fe-Substituted NaNi0.5Mn0.5O2 Cathode Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

A series of O3-phase NaFe(x)(Ni0.5Mn0.5)(1-x)O2 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 1) samples with different Fe contents was prepared and investigated as high-capacity cathodic hosts of Na-ion batteries. The partial substitution of Ni and Mn with Fe in the O3-phase lattice can greatly improve the electrochemical performance and the structural stability. A NaFe0.2Mn0.4Ni0.4O2 cathode with an optimized Fe content of x = 0.2 can deliver an initial reversible capacity of 131 mAh g(-1), a reversible capacity greater than 95% over 30 cycles, and a high rate capacity of 86 mAh g(-1) at 10 C in a voltage range of 2.0-4.0 V. The structural characterizations reveal that pristine NaMn0.5Ni0.5O2 and Fe-substituted NaFe0.2Mn0.4Ni0.4O2 lattices underwent different phase transformations from P3 to P3″ and from P3 to OP2 phases, respectively, at high voltage interval. The as-resulted OP2 phase by Fe substitution has smaller interslab distance (5.13 Å) than the P3″ phase (5.72 Å), which suppresses the co-insertion of the solvent molecules, the electrolyte anions, or both and therefore enhances the cycling stability in the high voltage charge. This finding suggests a new strategy for creating cycle-stable transition-metal oxide cathodes for high-performance Na-ion batteries.

Magnesium-Doped Li1.2[Co0.13Ni0.13Mn0.54]O2 for Lithium-Ion Battery Cathode with Enhanced Cycling Stability and Rate Capability.

Mg-doped Li[Li0.2-2xMgxCo0.13Ni0.13Mn0.54]O2 is synthesized by introducing Mg ions into the transition-metal (TM) layer of this layered compound for substituting Li ions through a simple polymer-pyrolysis method. The structural and morphological characterization reveals that the doped Mg ions are uniformly distributed in the bulk lattice, showing an insignificant impact on the layered structure. Electrochemical experiments reveal that, at a Mg doping of 4%, the Li[Li0.16Mg0.04Co0.13Ni0.13Mn0.54]O2 electrode can deliver a larger initial reversible capacity of 272 mAh g(-1), an improved rate capability with 114 mAh g(-1) at 8 C, and an excellent cycling stability with 93.3% capacity retention after 300 cycles. The superior electrochemical performances of the Mg-doped material are possibly due to the enhancement of the structural stability by substitution of Li by Mg in the TM layer, which effectively suppresses the cation mixing arrangement, leading to the alleviation of the phase change during lithium-ion insertion and extraction.

Comparative action spectrum for ultraviolet light killing of mouse melanocytes from different genetic coat color backgrounds.

The photobiology of mouse melanocyte lines with different pigment genotypes was studied by measuring colony-forming ability after irradiation. The cell lines were wild-type black (melan-a) and the mutants brown (melan-b) and albino (melan-c). Four lamps emitting various UV wavelengths were used. These were germicidal (UVC, 200-280 nm), 82.3% output at 254 nm, TL01 (UVB, 280-320 nm), 64.2% at 310-311 nm, FS20, broadband with peak output at 312 nm and Alisun-S (UVA, 320-400 nm), broadband with peak output at 350-354 nm. Appropriate filtration reduced the contaminating UVC to nonlethal levels for the longer waverange lamps. Wild-type melan-a was resistant to UVC and UVA compared to the other two cell lines, but the differences were small. The melan-c cell line was more resistant to UVB and markedly more resistant to FS20 than the pigmented lines. With the exception of FS20 responses, melan-b was more sensitive than melan-a to killing by the various UV lamps. There were more pyrimidine dimers (cyclobutane dimers and 6-4 photoproducts) produced in melan-a than in melan-c cells by UVC, UVB and FS20 lamps. Unlike melan-c, melan-a and melan-b showed a strong free radical signal of melanin character with a detectable contribution of pheomelanin-like centers. The contribution of pheomelanin was higher in melan-b than in melan-a, while the total melanin content in these two cell lines was comparable. The abundant melanin granules of wild-type melan-a melanocytes were well melanized and ellipsoidal, whereas those of melan-b melanocytes tended to be spherical. In the albino line (melan-c) the melanocytes contained only early-stage melanosomes, all of which were devoid of melanin. The results indicate that pigment does not protect against direct effect DNA damage in the form of pyrimidine dimers nor does it necessarily protect against cell death. High pigment content is not very protective against killing by UVC and UVA, and it may photosensitize in UVB the very wavelength range that is of greatest concern with respect to the rising incidence in skin cancer, especially melanoma. It is clear from these studies that, in pigment cells, monochromatic results cannot predict polychromatic responses and that cell death from solar irradiations is a complex phenomenon that depends on more than DNA damage.

Evaluation of preoperative staging in advanced gastric cancer with MRI.

AIM: To evaluate the application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to the preoperative staging of advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: An MRI (SE sequence) was preoperatively performed on 34 patients with advanced gastric cancer. The tumors were located at the cardia fundus in 11 patients, the corpus in 14, the antrum in ten and throughout the entire stomach in two. The images were analyzed and staged on the basis of the criteria proposed by Matsushita M. The results were compared with the corresponding histopathologic findings to analyze the rate of diagnostic accordance. RESULTS: The diagnostic rate accuracy by MRI was 77.8% (seven out of nince) for T2 tumors; 77.3% (17 out of 22) for T3 tumors and 100% (three out of three) for T4 tumors, with the overall accuracy equaling 79.4%. When grades T3 and T4 tumors were considered as a single group to determine the presence or absence of extraserosal invasion using MRI technology, the diagnostic accuracy was 88.3%. Statistically, MRI staging showed a significant correlation with the corresponding histopathologic staging using the Spearman correlation test (rs' = 0.743, P < 0.01). When the concordance between MRI and histopathologic staging results were studied according to tumor location, the staging accuracy was highest (90.9%) in tumors located in gastric cardia fundus. CONCLUSION: MR imaging is moderately valuable when staging advanced gastric cancer, especially for tumors located in gastric cardia fundus.

[Effects of chloroform, chlorobenzene and polychlorinated biphenyls on erythrocyte lipid peroxidation and membrane fluidity in poisoned rabbits].

Effects of three chlorinated compounds, i.e., chloroform, chlorobenzene and Aroclor 1254 (PCBs), on lipid peroxidation and membrane fluidity of erythrocytes in poisoned rabbits were studied. Results revealed daily intraperitoneal injection of peanut oil containing chlorinated compounds into rabbits showed nonenzymic promotion effects on its erythrocyte lipid peroxidation in varying degrees, but different effects on erythrocyte membrane fluidity, promoting by chloroform and inhibiting by Aroclor 1254. It suggested the constitutional characteristics of toxicant molecules also had effects on membrane fluidity. In addition, it was found there existed potential relationship between maintenance of cell morphology and membrane fluidity.

[Lung injury caused by passive smoking and its effects on cytokines in rats].

OBJECTIVE: A rat model with chronic bronchitis was replicated by passive inhalation of cigarette smoking fume to study its long-term effects on lung injury and nitric oxide (NO), interluekin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8). METHODS: Levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) and nitrogen trioxide (NO(3)) were measured with spectrophotometry in rats indicating their level of nitric oxide (NO). Levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Levels of NO in serum, bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue in the smoking group were significantly lower than those in the normal controls (P < 0.01). But, levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were higher in the smoking group than those in the controls. CONCLUSION: Long-term passive smoking could cause injury of lung tissue to certain extent, reduction in secretion of NO in endothelial cells and damage to pulmonary vessels.