[Naringenin inhibits thoracic aortic aneurysm formation in mice with Marfan syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To identify whether naringenin plays a protective role during thoracic aneurysm formation in Marfan syndrome. METHODS: To validate the effect of naringenin, Fbn1C1039G/+ mice, the mouse model of Marfan syndrome, were fed with naringenin, and the disease progress was evaluated. The molecular mechanism of naringenin was further investigated via in vitro studies, such as bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET), atomic force microscope and radioligand receptor binding assay. RESULTS: Six-week-old Fbn1C1039G/+ mice were fed with naringenin for 20 weeks. Compared with the control group, naringenin significantly suppressed the aortic expansion [Fbn1C1039G/+ vs. Fbn1C1039G/++naringenin: (2.49±0.47) mm, n=18 vs. (1.87±0.19) mm, n=22, P < 0.05], the degradation of elastin, and the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and MMP9 in the ascending aorta of Fbn1C1039G/+ mice. Besides, treatment with naringenin for 6 weeks also attenuated the disease progress among the 20-week-old Fbn1C1039G/+ mice with established thoracic aortic aneurysms [Fbn1C1039G/+ vs. Fbn1C1039G/++naringenin: (2.24±0.23) mm, n=8 vs. (1.90±0.17) mm, n=8, P < 0.05]. To understand the underlying molecular mechanisms, we examined the effects of naringenin on angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor (AT1) signaling and transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) signaling respectively, which were the dominant signaling pathways contributing to aortopathy in Marfan syndrome as previously reported. The results showed that naringenin decreased angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ)-induced phosphorylation of protein kinase C (PKC) and extracellular regulating kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in HEK293A cell overexpressing AT1 receptor. Moreover, naringenin inhibited Ang Ⅱ-induced calcium mobilization and uclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) signaling. The internalization of AT1 receptor and its binding to ß-arrestin-2 with Ang Ⅱ induction were also suppressed by naringenin. As evidenced by atomic force microscope and radioligand receptor binding assay, naringenin inhibited Ang Ⅱ binding to AT1 receptor. In terms of TGF-ß signaling, we found that feeding the mice with naringenin decreased the phosphorylation of Smad2 and ERK1/2 as well as the expression of TGF-ß downstream genes. Besides, the serum level of TGF-ß was also decreased by naringenin in the Fbn1C1039G/+ mice. Furthermore, we detected the effect of naringenin on platelet, a rich source of TGF-ß, both in vivo and in vitro. And we found that naringenin markedly decreased the TGF-ß level by inhibiting the activation of platelet. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that naringenin has a protective effect on thoracic aortic aneurysm formation in Marfan syndrome by suppressing both AT1 and TGF-ß signaling.

[Primary ovarian squamous cell carcinoma: clinicopathological features and prognostic analysis of fifteen cases].

Objective: To assess the clinical features and treatment outcomes in patients with primary ovarian squamous cell carcinoma (POSCC). Methods: Fifteen patients with primary ovarian squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed from January 2009 to December 2018 in Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences were collected. The expression of p16, hMLH1, hMSH2, hMSH6 and PMS2 in POSCC was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the status of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) by RNAscope test. Results: Squamous cell carcinoma with different degrees of differentiation was found in 15 cases, including three cases with high differentiation and 12 cases with medium to low differentiation. There were four cases with in situ squamous cell carcinoma, four cases with teratoma, one case with endometrial carcinoma/atypical hyperplasia, and one case with endometriosis. p16 was expressed in five cases (5/15), indicating coexisting high-risk HPV infection. There was no high-risk HPV infection in the remaining 10 cases, and p16 staining was negative. There was no deficient mismatch repair protein in all cases. The overall survival time (P=0.038) and progression free survival (P=0.045) of patients with high-risk HPV infection were longer than those without HPV infection. Conclusions: POSCC is more commonly noted in postmenopausal women and often occurs unilaterally. Elevated serological indexes CA125 and SCC are the most common finding. Morphologically, the tumors show variable degrees of differentiation, but the current data suggest that the degree of differentiation cannot be used as an independent prognostic index. High-risk HPV infection may be associated with the occurrence of POSCC, and that the prognosis of POSCC patients with HPV infection is better than that of patients without infection.

Value of metabolic parameters of primary lesions examined by 18F-FDG PET/CT for endometrial cancer in preoperative evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate metabolic parameters of primary lesions examined by 18F-FDG PET/CT (18Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography /Computed Tomography), including maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 79 patients with endometrial cancer were selected as the subjects. They were diagnosed by histopathology in our hospital for the first time from January 2016 to December 2018. All the patients were examined by 18F-FDG PET/CT. Retrospective statistical analysis was carried out to evaluate different expression of metabolic parameters examined by 18F-FDG PET/CT of different clinicopathologic factors in endometrial cancer. Spearman correlation analysis was also used. RESULTS: SUVmax, TLG and MTV were correlated with FIGO staging, tissue grading, depth of myometrial invasion, and lymph node metastasis. SUVmax, TLG and MTV in lymph node metastasis group had high clinical staging, low differentiation and myometrial invasion depth >1/2, which were significantly higher than those in no lymph node metastasis group (low clinical staging, high differentiation and myometrial invasion depth ≤1/2). TLG had the greatest difference(p<0.001). TLG and MTV were correlated with histopathological classification (p<0.05). The expression levels of SUVmax, MTV and TLG of primary lesions were negatively correlated with the positive expression of ER and PR in tumor tissues (p<0.05), and significantly positively correlated with positive expression of HER -2 and Ki-67 (p<0.01). The expression of ER, PR, HER-2 and KI-67 in tumor tissues was correlated with tissue grading, clinical staging, depth of muscular layer infiltration, cervical tissue involvement and lymph node metastasis (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic parameters of primary lesions examined by 18F-FDG PET/CT has a good correlation with its clinicopathological features. They can provide reference for the preoperative formulation of treatment plan for endometrial cancer, so as to reduce the risk of surgery and improve the prognosis of patients.

The Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Essential Tremor in Elderly Chineses: A Population-Based Study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and the clinical feature of essential tremor (ET) in a community cohort in Beijing. METHODS: Using a door-to-door, two-phase approach, we investigated 2,835 residents aged ≥55 years old from rural, urban, and mountain areas. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of ET was 4.29%, 2.85%, and 2.29% in rural, urban, and mountain areas, respectively. The overall age- and sex-adjusted prevalence was 3.29%. Among those aged ≥75 years, the prevalence rate in the urban area was higher than those in the rural and mountain areas. The prevalence rate increased with age, and the prevalence was higher among men (6.0%) than among women (3.6%). There was a correlation of ET prevalence with age, sex, and habitation area, but not with alcohol, tea drinking, and occupation. Women (25%) with ET were more likely to have head tremor than men (16.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The ET prevalence in the elderly of Beijing was 3.29% which is higher in the urban area and in men.

[Different criteria of metabolically healthy obesity and its effects on the prevalence].

The problem of obesity is getting serious. However, recent studies have shown that obesity is not necessarily harmful to health, thus the concept of metabolically healthy obesity is proposed. So far, no standard definition/criterion had been set up for metabolically healthy obesity. Through searching related literature on metabolically healthy obesity worldwide, different diagnostic criteria were reviewed, and compared with the difference of prevalence as well. The aim of the study is to provide reference for the precise prevention of obesity in China.

[Prevalence characters of peripheral artery disease and associated factors among Beijing residents aged equal and above 35 years old].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence characters of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and associated factors among people aged 35 and above in Beijing. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 5 208 community-based individuals aged equal and above 35 in Beijing were chosen with stratified multistage random sampling method. Structure questionnaire was used to collected the information of demographic factors, habits and chronic disease history. Ankle brachial blood pressure was detected and ankle brachial index (ABI) was calculated. ABI was used to diagnose PAD (ABI≤0.90). Based on the 2010 Beijing Municipal Population Census, the age-and gender-specific weight-adjusted sample was acquired to estimate the prevalence of PAD and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the associated factors of PAD. Results: The age-and sex-standardized prevalence of PAD was 3.84% (200/5 208, 95%CI 3.32%-4.36%). There was no significant difference between male and female (3.83%(102/2 664, 95%CI 3.10%-4.56%) vs. 3.85% (98/2 544, 95%CI 3.10%-4.60%), P=0.965). The prevalence of PAD in urban was higher than that in rural (4.34% (163/3 755, 95%CI 3.69%-4.99%) vs. 2.55% (37/1 453, 95%CI 1.74%-3.36%), P=0.001). Furthermore, the prevalence of PAD increased with age (P(trend)<0.01), and the difference between genders did not change with ageing (all P>0.05). In addition, age (OR=1.03, 95%CI 1.01-1.04), urban (OR=1.52, 95%CI 1.08-2.12), smoking (OR=1.83, 95%CI 1.29-2.59), hypertension (OR=1.61, 95%CI 1.17-2.22) and diabetes (OR=1.44, 95%CI 1.08-1.93) were related with increased risk of PAD in logistic regression analysis models. Conclusions: The prevalence of PAD increases with age in Beijing and there are significant difference between urban and rural on prevalence of PAD. Age, urban, smoking, hypertension and diabetes are related with increased risk of PAD.

[Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in population older than 15 years of age in Beijing, 2013-2014].

Objective: To investigate the rates on prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in population older than 15 years of age in Beijing, 2013-2014. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Beijing between 2013-2014. Stratified multistage random sampling method was used to select representative sample of 13 057 Chinese individuals aged over 15 years, from the general population. Blood pressure was measured for three readings at sitting position after resting for at least five minutes with an average reading recorded. A standardized structured questionnaire was developed to collect history of hypertension and antihypertensive treatment. Results: A total of 4 663 community residents aged over 15 years were hypertensive among the 13 057 individuals, with the standardized prevalence rate as 32.7%, in Beijing area. The age-standardized prevalence rates of hypertension appeared 34.6% in men and 30.8% in women. The age-and sexstandardized prevalence of hypertension rates were 33.3% in urban and 24.6% in rural areas. The prevalence of hypertension increased with age and appeared higher in men than in women, in urban than in rural residents. Among the hypertensive patients, rates of awareness, treatment and control were 66.8%, 64.6% and 31.6%, respectively. Conclusion: High prevalence of hypertension with low rates on awareness and treatment and control, appeared in the general population of Beijing. Related strategies should be developed regarding prevention, control and management of hypertension, to reduce the burden of this disease.

Association of CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc Scores with Left Atrial Thrombus with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: A Single Center Based Retrospective Study in a Cohort of 2695 Chinese Subjects.

The main mechanism of the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores to predict stroke in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is still controversial. We evaluated the association of the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores with left atrial thrombus (LAT) as detected by transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) and compared the predictive ability of these risk stratification schemes with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Data from 2,695 consecutive NVAF patients in whom TEE was performed for screening LAT from July 2007 to February 2014 were analyzed. Only 3% of the subjects had LAT. Presence of LAT was not significantly associated with either CHADS2 (P = 0.07) or CHA2DS2-VASc score (P = 0.12). The area under the curve (AUC) concerning LAT prediction using CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc was 0.574 and 0.569, respectively. A composition model includes previous stroke or transient ischemic attack, nonparoxysmal AF, moderate to severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction, left atrial enlargement, and cardiomyopathy which improved the discrimination significantly (AUC = 0.743). In our cohort, both CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores were of limited value for predicting LAT in patients with NVAF. This questions the CHADS2/CHA2DS2-VASc score predicting stroke mainly through the mechanism of cardiogenic embolism. A scoring scheme combining clinical and echocardiographic parameters may better predict LAT as a surrogate for cardioembolic risk in NVAF patients.

The role of targeted agents in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of targeted agents (TAs) in the treatment of elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Databases from PubMed, Web of Science and abstracts presented at ASCO meeting up to December 31, 2015 were searched to identify relevant studies. Eligible studies included prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating therapies with or without TAs in elderly patients with AGC. The endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Statistical analyses were conducted by using Comprehensive Meta Analysis software (Version 2.0). RESULTS: A total of 1,759 elderly patients with AGC from ten RCTs were included for analysis. The pooled results demonstrated that the addition of TAs to therapies in elderly patients significantly improved OS (HR 0.88, 95% CI: 0.79-0.99, p = 0.032), but not for PFS (HR 0.83, 95% CI: 0.66-1.06, p = 0.13) when compared to controls. Subgroup analysis according to targeted agents indicated that survival benefit was observed for anti-HER-2 agents (HR 0.71, 95% CI: 0.55-0.91, p = 0.006) and angiogenesis inhibitors (AIs) (HR 0.78, 95% CI: 0.62-0.99, p = 0.04) in terms of OS. Conversely, no survival benefit was found for anti-EGFR agents in terms of OS (HR 1.12, 95% CI: 0.93-1.36, p = 0.24) and PFS (HR 1.35, 95% CI: 0.88-2.07, p = 0.17). No publication bias was detected by Begg's and Egger's tests for OS. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that the addition of TAs to therapies in elderly patients with AGC offers an improved OS, which can be ascribed to AIs and ant-HER2 agents. With available evidence, anti-EGFR agents could not be recommended for use in elderly AGC patients.

Incidence of ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke and the association with smoking and smoking cessation: a 10-year multicentre prospective study in China.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of cigarette smoking and smoking cessation on the incidence of ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke in a multicentre prospective cohort study among Chinese. STUDY DESIGN: A multicentre population-based prospective cohort study. METHODS: The incidence of, and deaths from, stroke were monitored among 26,607 participants (12,560 men and 14,047 women) who were enrolled in 1986 and free from stroke until 2000. Cox's proportional hazard model was performed to obtain the hazard ratio (HR) of cigarette smoking for stroke risk after adjustment for major confounders. RESULTS: After an average of 9.5 years of follow-up, 1108 subjects developed stroke. The excess risk of all types of stroke (total stroke) among male current smokers [HR 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-1.67] was mainly due to a significantly elevated risk of ischaemic stroke (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.17-1.90). A significantly increased risk for total stroke and ischaemic stroke was observed among men who smoked >15 cigarettes/day and men who had smoked for >25 years. The rate of smoking cessation was very low among Chinese men (7.2%) and women (1.5%). Smoking cessation did not appear to reduce the risk of haemorrhagic stroke, but may reduce the risk of ischaemic stroke; however, the possibility that this result was due to chance cannot be excluded (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.26-2.08). CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that cigarette smoking is a major determinant for the incidence of ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke in Chinese men, and emphasizes the need for improved strategies to help people quit smoking.

Incidence and survival of symptomatic lacunar infarction in a Beijing population: a 6-year prospective study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The incidence of ischaemic stroke has increased or remained high in China; however, little population-based evidence is available on the incidence and survival of lacunar infarction (LAC). We examined the incidence of LAC in a northern Chinese (Beijing) population and monitored survival. METHODS: A prospective registry population-based study was conducted over a 6-year period in a general, unselected, and representative community in Beijing with approximately 100,000 long-term permanent residents. All first-ever stroke cases were registered. RESULTS: A total of 1184 patients with ischaemic stroke were identified; 36.9% (437 cases) were classified as LAC. Age-standardized incidence rates of LAC ranged from 24.0 to 51.3/100,000 with an average rate of 35.3/100,000 during study period. The incidence of LAC increased with age before 70 years. The incidence of non-LAC increased with age. There were no significant differences in crude incidence of LAC between men and women (78.4/100,000 vs. 75.4/100,000). The incidence of non-LAC was significantly higher in men than in women (155/100,000 vs. 107/100,000, P < 0.001). The 28-day case fatality proportions were significantly lower in patients with LAC (0.5%) versus non-LAC (14.9%). One year after acute stroke onset, the survival rates between LAC and non-LAC were similar. CONCLUSION: LAC is a common stroke subtype in Northern China. Men or the elderly are more likely to have non-LAC. Long-term survival following LAC is similar to non-LAC patients.

Transforming growth factor-beta1-induced CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in vitro reverse and prevent a murine lupus-like syndrome of chronic graft-versus-host disease.

BACKGROUND: The suppressive mechanism of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) is poorly understood. It is also not known how to obtain enough peripheral Tregs, and how to make them effective in ameliorating a murine lupus-like syndrome of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). OBJECTIVES: To confirm the contribution of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 in the function of CD4+CD25+ Tregs in vitro, and to identify in vivo suppressive effects of different Tregs generated through TGF-beta1. METHODS: Suppressive effects of freshly isolated CD4+CD25+ Tregs, TGF-beta1-expanded CD4+CD25+ Tregs (eTregs) and TGF-beta1-induced CD4+CD25+ Tregs (iTregs) in vitro were assessed. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect Foxp3. The respective roles that different Tregs might play in controlling murine lupus-like syndrome of cGVHD were analysed. RESULTS: TGF-beta1 was necessary for expanding the existing CD4+CD25+ Tregs in vitro, as well as converting peripheral CD4+CD25- T cells to CD4+CD25+ Tregs through upregulating CD25 and Foxp3. These eTregs and iTregs had a suppressive effect similar to that of freshly isolated CD4+CD25+ Tregs. The inhibitory function of iTregs could be partially blocked by anti-TGF-beta1. Importantly, it was revealed for the first time that both eTregs and iTregs had an inhibitory effect on reversing the morbidity of mice that had already developed anti-dsDNA, and iTregs gave more suppression than eTregs. Besides, iTregs could prevent the onset and slow the progress of disease in a significantly dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that TGF-beta1 signalling is required to maintain the suppression of CD4+CD25+ Tregs in vitro and in vivo. Together, this study suggests a possible therapeutic role for iTregs in the treatment of murine lupus-like syndrome of cGVHD.

Longitudinal study of blood pressure and stroke in over 37,000 People in China.

As part of a longitudinal study performed in urban China, 37,655 subjects were evaluated for stroke risk factors, including having their blood pressure measured in a standard fashion. The cohort was followed for 3.5 years during which time 427 subjects experienced incident strokes--221 ischemic, 203 hemorrhagic, and 3 undefined. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly related to risk of stroke and stroke type. Associations were stronger for systolic than diastolic blood pressure. These results emphasize the importance of systolic blood pressure, as opposed to diastolic, as a risk factor for stroke. In this study, the risk of stroke is increased by about 25% with each 10 mm Hg increase in systolic blood pressure.

Prevention of stroke in urban China: a community-based intervention trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stroke has been the second leading cause of death in large cities in China since the 1980s. Meanwhile, the prevalences of hypertension and smoking have steadily increased over the last 2 decades. Therefore, a community-based intervention trial was initiated in 7 Chinese cities in 1987. The overall goal of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention aimed at reducing multiple risk factors for stroke. The primary study objective was to reduce the incidence of stroke by 25% over 3.5 years of intervention. METHODS: In May 1987 in each of 7 the cities, 2 geographically separated communities with a registered population of about 10 000 each were selected as either intervention or control communities. In each community, a cohort containing about 2700 subjects (>/=35 years old) free of stroke was sampled, and a survey was administered to obtain baseline data and screen the eligible subjects for intervention. In each city, a program of treatment for hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes was instituted in the intervention cohort (n approximately 2700) and health education was provided to the full intervention community (n approximately 10 000). A follow-up survey was conducted in 1990. Comparisons of intervention and control cohorts in each city were pooled to yield a single summary. RESULTS: A total of 18 786 subjects were recruited to the intervention cohort and 18 876 to the control cohort from 7 cities. After 3.5 years, 174 new stroke cases had occurred in the intervention cohort and 253 in the control cohort. The 3.5-year cumulative incidence of total stroke was significantly lower in the intervention cohort than the control cohort (0.93% versus 1.34%; RR=0.69; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.84). The incidence rates of nonfatal and fatal stroke, as well as ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, were significantly lower in the intervention cohort than the control cohort. The prevalence of hypertension increased by 4.3% in the intervention cohort and by 7.8% in the control cohort. The average systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased more in the control cohort than in the intervention cohort. Among hypertensive individuals in the intervention cohort, awareness of hypertension increased by 6.7% and the percentage of hypertensives who regularly took antihypertensive medication increased 13.2%. All of these indices became worse in the control cohort. The prevalence of heart diseases and diabetes increased significantly in the both cohorts (P<0.01). The prevalence of consumption of alcohol increased slightly, and that of smoking remained constant in both cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: A community-based intervention for stroke reduction is feasible and effective in the cities of China. The reduction, due to the intervention, in the incidence of stroke in the intervention cohort was statistically significant after 3.5 years of intervention. The sharp reduction in the incidence of stroke may be due to the interventions having blunted the expected increase in hypertension that accompanies aging as well as to better and earlier treatment of hypertension, particularly borderline hypertension. Applied health education to all the residents of the community may have prevented some normotensive individuals from developing hypertension and improved overall health awareness and knowledge.

[Modulation of norepinephrinergic control of hypothalamus preoptic areas on hibernation bouts in ground squirrels (Citellus dauricus)].

In our previous work, it was shown that hibernation could be enhanced by injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA, 200 micrograms) into the lateral cerebral ventricle of ground squirrels by destructing norepinephrine (NE) nerve terminals in brain areas including hypothalamus, cerebral cortex, hippocampus and periaqueductal gray matter of middle brain. In order to identify the specific area contributing for the modulation of NE system on hibernation, small doses of 6-OHDA (4 micrograms) were microinjected bilaterally into medial preoptic hypothalamus (MPA), lateral preoptic hypothalamus (LPA) and ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH). The results showed: (1) Depletion of NE on MPA may facilitate hibernation. (2) Little effect was seen by microinjection of 6-OHDA into LPA. (3) The effect of 6-OHDA on VMH was similar to that on MPA, through the mechanism remains to be investigated.

A case-control study on the environmental risk factors of Parkinson's disease in Tianjin, China.

Using a case-control method, we studied the role of environmental risk factors and viral infection in the development of Parkinson's disease (PD) in China. Ninety-three PD patients and 186 controls were investigated with a questionnaire and from most of them, blood was taken to test the antibody levels of four virus (measles, rubella, HSV-1, CMV) IgG. The study result showed that positive family history, living near rubber plants, drinking river-water were associated with an increased risk of developing PD. In contrast, living in small cities, drinking well-water, drinking hard-liquor frequently, were associated with a decreased risk for PD. PD cases and controls did not differ with respect to other factors investigated including smoking and viral infection. These findings suggest that some environmental factors may be related to the development of PD, but further standardized studies will be required to confirm our results.

[Role of macrophage in presenting antigens of Schistosoma japonicum].

Indirect ELISA was employed to monitor the serum anti-UEA (urea soluble egg antigen of Schistosoma japonicum) antibody level of mice immunized by: a. UEA pulsed macrophage (Mphi+); b. Cultural supernatant of Mphi+; c. paraformaldehyde fixed M phi (P-Mphi) pulsed with UEA; d. Ammonium chloride treated M phi (NH4Cl-Mphi) pulsed with UEA; e. P-Mphi pulsed with trypsin digested UEA (T-UEA); f. NH4Cl-Mphi pulsed with T-UEA. The normal Mphi, its supernatant and the culture media RPMI 1640 acted as the negative control. The results showed: 1. Serum anti-UEA antibody levels of mice immunized by a and b raised markedly, indicating that the immunogenicity of UEA might be kept up after Mphi processing and the antigenic message could be transferred either by the Mphi+ or by its supernatant; 2. Mice immunized by c and d gave similar results, but the anti-UEA antibody level of the former was higher than that of the latter, suggesting that polyformaldehyde could not alter the UEA binding site on the surface of Mphi; 3. In the case of mice immunized by e and f, the antibody levels were much lower than that of mice immunized by c and d, suggesting that UEA binding sites on Mphi surface as well as UEA immunogenicity could be changed by trypsin.

[Delayed hemothorax after chest injuries. Report of 31 cases].

Thirty-one patients with delayed hemothorax were treated. The time from trauma to hemothorax formation ranged from 2 to 30 days. The patients with chest injuries accompanied by multiple rib fracture, potential vascular injuries and foreign body retention the thoracic cavity were observed closely. The diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment were discussed.