Clinicopathological observation of mature teratoma with malignant transformation, a single center retrospective study

Purpose: To investigate the clinicopathological features of mature teratoma with malignant transformation. Methods: Retrospectively analysis of 1179 cases mature teratoma was done from August 1999 to December 2019 in Institution. 14 cases of mature teratoma with malignant transformation were discussed mainly for the pathological characteristics and clinical manifestations. Results: 4 of them were less than 40 years old. All but one occurred in the ovaries, and the one was in the left anterior mediastinum which was the only male. The clinical manifestations of the patients were atypical. Imaging showed cystic solid mass. Surgery was performed. Polypoid mass, solid nodule and thickened area of cyst wall can be seen on the section of tumor. Pathological results show that there were 5 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 3 cases of carcinoid, 2 cases of serous carcinoma and 2 cases of thyroid papillary carcinoma, 1 case of carcinosarcoma and 1 case of strumal carcinoid. Two cases of squamous cell carcinoma had pelvic and abdominal metastasis. Immunohistochemistry of case 14 showed that AE1/AE3, CD56, SYN, NSE, PSAP, CDX2 were positive in carcinoid. EMA and CK20 were positive in mucinous glands around carcinoid. Calretinin and inhibin were positive in the mesenchyme adjacent to intestinal mucinous gland. Conclusions: Teratoma with malignant transformation is a rare malignancy, although teratoma is a common germ cell tumor. And it's more common in patients over 40 years, especially those patients who were in menopause. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type and prone to metastasis. Strumal carcinoid was well-defined, but as an endocrine tumor, it may cause a series of digestive, respiratory or hormonal disorders. Therefore, the mature teratomas should be removed in time after detection.

microRNAs expression profiles in Schistosoma japonicum of different sex 14 and 28 days post-infection

@#Different miRNAs are involved in the life cycles of Schistosoma japonicum. The aim of this study was to examine the expression profile of miRNAs in individual S. japonicum of different sex before and after pairing (18 and 24 dpi). The majority of differential expressed miRNAs were highly abundant at 14 dpi, except for sja-miR-125b and sja-miR-3505, in both male and female. Moreover, it was estimated that sja-miR-125b and sja-miR-3505 might be related to laying eggs. sja-miR-2a-5p and sja-miR-3484-5p were expressed at 14 dpi in males and were significantly clustered in DNA topoisomerase III, Rap guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 and L-serine/L-threonine ammonia-lyase. Target genes of sja-miR-2d-5p, sja-miR-31- 5p and sja-miR-125a, which were expressed at 14 dpi in males but particularly females, were clustered in kelch-like protein 12, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, class I, and heat shock protein 90 kDa beta. Predicted target genes of sja-miR-3483-3p (expressed at 28 dpi in females but not in males) were clustered in 26S proteasome regulatory subunit N1, ATPdependent RNA helicase DDX17. Predicted target genes of sja-miR-219-5p, which were differentially expressed at 28 dpi in females but particularly males, were clustered in DNA excision repair protein ERCC-6, protein phosphatase 1D, and ATPase family AAA domaincontaining protein 3A/B. Moreover, at 28 dpi, eight miRNAs were significantly up-regulated in females compared to males. The predicted target genes of these miRNAs were significantly clustered in heat shock protein 90 kDa beta, 26S proteasome regulatory subunit N1, and protein arginine N-methyltransferase 1. To sum up, differentially expressed miRNAs may have an essential role and provide necessary information on clarifying this trematode’s growth, development, maturation, and infection ability to mammalian hosts in its complex life cycle, and may be helpful for developing new drug targets and vaccine candidates for schistosomiasis.

Comparison between Ozurdex and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment for retinal vein occlusion–related macular edema: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intravitreal dexamethasone (DEX) implant and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatments for macular edema (ME) secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO), central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). The electronic databases comprehensively searched for the studies that compared DEX with anti-VEGF treatments in patients suffering from RVO-related ME. The effectiveness was estimated using best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), and intraocular pressure (IOP). All data were analyzed by Review Manager (RevMan) 5.3. According to the meta-analysis from five randomized control trials, both DEX implant and anti-VEGF agent treatments were effective, but no significant differences in BCVA and CRT were observed between these two treatments. Novartis' two studies indicated that anti-VEGF agents significantly reduced the CRT compared with DEX implant at 6 months [weighted mean difference: 158.53 ?m, 95% confidence interval (CI): (71.09, 245.96), P= 0.0004]. Furthermore, anti-VEGF agents showed some advantages on cataract formation [risk ratio (RR): 3.43, 95% CI: (1.35, 8.71), P= 0.009] and other adverse events [RR: 1.19, 95% CI: (1.09, 1.31), P= 0.0002] without heterogeneity (P = 0.20, I2 = 35%). Anti-VEGF agents were also effective treatments for cataract formation or less adverse events for RVO-related ME. In contrast, DEX implant had higher risk for IOP elevation and lower cataract incidence than anti-VEGF agents. Hence, complementary and alternative treatments are expected.

A unique case of eyelid metastasis from chondroid chordoma

A unique case of eyelid metastasis from nasopharyngeal chondroid chordoma in a 63-year-old woman was reported. Chordomas are rare tumors of the bone deriving from remnants of the embryonic notochord. Histologically, the tumor showed lobulated structure and concludes two types of cells: liquid drop cell and small round/cubic cell. Immunohistochemically, AE1/AE3, epithelial membrane antigene (EMA), and S100 showed a uniform and strong positivity. It has a great capacity for recurrence and malignant transformation, despite their slow-growing nature. The most common sites of metastases are liver, lungs, and bones. The eyelid metastasis from chordoma is an extremely rare finding, which may suggest a poor prognosis for the patient. Its significant clinicopathological characteristic could prompt us to take it into consideration when assessing the patient's prognosis.

MicroRNA-122 regulates caspase-8 and promotes the apoptosis of mouse cardiomyocytes

Cardiomyocyte apoptosis plays key roles in the pathogenesis of heart diseases such as myocardial infarction. MicroRNAs are important regulators of gene expression, which are also involved in the regulation of cardiomyocyte apoptosis. However, cardiomyocyte apoptosis regulated by microRNA (miR)-122 is largely unexplored. The aim of this study focused on the role of miR-122 in cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Cardiomyocytes were isolated from neonatal mice and primarily cultured. MiR-122 mimic and inhibitor were transfected to cardiomyocytes and verified by qRT-PCR. Cell viability and apoptosis post-transfection were assessed by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Changes in expression of caspase-8 were quantified by qRT-PCR and western blot. Results showed that miR-122 mimic and inhibitor successfully induced changes in miR-122 levels in cultured cardiomyocytes (P<0.01). MiR-122 overexpression suppressed viability and promoted apoptosis of cardiomyocytes (P<0.05), and miR-122 knockdown promoted cell viability and inhibited apoptosis (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein levels of caspase-8 were elevated by miR-122 overexpression (P<0.01) and reduced by miR-122 knockdown (P<0.001). These results suggest an inductive role of miR-122 in cardiomyocyte apoptosis, which may be related to its regulation on caspase-8.

Programmed cell death 1 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and association with clinical characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the programmed cell death 1 (PD‑1) expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and association with clinical characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2009 to December 2014, 88 patients with ESCC were retrospectively included in this study. Eighty‑eight cancer tissues, 35 paraneoplastic atypical hyperplasia tissues (PAHTs), and 30 relative normal esophageal tissues (RNETs) were collected and tested for expression of PD‑1 by immunohistochemistry assay. The PD‑1 expression and clinical characteristics of the ESCC patients were evaluated. The prognosis of the ESCC patients was compared between the PD‑1 positive and negative patients. RESULTS: The PD‑1 positive rate was 51.2% (45/88), 22.9% (8/35), and 6.7% (2/30) for the cancer tissue, PAHT, and RNET, respectively, with statistical difference (P < 0.05); The PD‑1 expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05) and pathology grade (P < 0.05). The median overall survival was 29.8 months and 32.1 months for the PD‑1 positive and negative groups without statistical difference (hazard ratio = 1.00, 95% confidence interval = 0.58–1.71, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PD‑1 may play a key role in the process of carcinogenesis of ESCC but not associated with prognosis and overall survival.

High preoperative and postoperative levels of carcinoembryonic antigen and CYFRA 21‑1 indicate poor prognosis in patients with pathological Stage I nonsmall cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and the soluble fragment of cytokeratin 19 (CYFRA 21‑1) are supposed to have a prognostic role in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after surgery, but it has not been used as an adjunct to the tumor‑node‑metastasis (TNM) staging system to provide therapy options for patients with pathological Stage I NSCLC. This study was designed to investigate the effect of serum levels of CEA and CYFRA 21‑1 before and after surgery on the prognosis of patients with Stage I NSCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed regarding the medical records and follow‑ups of 169 patients with Stage I NSCLC before and after surgery. The patients were divided into three groups based on levels of serum CEA and CYFRA 21‑1 before and after surgery: (1) continuously normal‑level groups (CEA [NN] and CYFRA 21‑1 [NN] groups); (2) declined to normal‑level groups (CEA [HN] and CYFRA 21‑1 [HN] groups); and (3) continuously high‑level groups (CEA [HH] and CYFRA 21‑1 [HH] groups). Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan–Meier method for each group. The Chi‑square or Fisher exact test was employed to compare clinical and pathologic factors at the level of P < 0.05. The prognostic factor was evaluated by the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Compared with the continuously normal‑level groups, the CEA [HN] group was significantly correlated to tumor size (P = 0.011), and the CYFRA 21‑1 [HN] group was significantly correlated to tumor type and pathological TNM in addition to tumor size. Five‑year survivals were significantly lower (P = 0.004) in the CEA [HH] group (67.3%) and the CEA [HN] group (86.5%) than in the CEA [NN] group (85.7%) and were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the CYFRA 21‑1 [HH] group (47.2%) and the CYFRA 21‑1 [HN] group (70.1%) than in the CYFRA 21‑1 [NN] group (90.1%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that tumor size (21–50 mm), CEA [HH], and CYFRA 21‑1 [HH] were independent unfavorable prognostic factors for overall survival (OS), whereas tumor size (21–50 mm), CEA [HH], CYFRA 21‑1 [HN], and CYFRA 21‑1 [HH] were independent significant prognostic factors for progression‑free survival (PFS). CONCLUSION: Patients with a persistently high serum CEA or CYFRA 21‑1 before and after surgery had shortest OS and PFS. These patients had worst prognosis. Adjuvant chemotherapy was likely to improve survival for these patients.

Silibinin improves palmitate-induced insulin resistance in C2C12 myotubes by attenuating IRS-1/PI3K/Akt pathway inhibition

The present study investigated the effect of silibinin, the principal potential anti-inflammatory flavonoid contained in silymarin, a mixture of flavonolignans extracted from Silybum marianum seeds, on palmitate-induced insulin resistance in C2C12 myotubes and its potential molecular mechanisms. Silibinin prevented the decrease of insulin-stimulated 2-NBDG (2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxy-D-glucose) uptake and the downregulation of glutamate transporter type 4 (GLUT4) translocation in C2C12 myotubes induced by palmitate. Meanwhile, silibinin suppressed the palmitate-induced decrease of insulin-stimulated Akt Ser473 phosphorylation, which was reversed by wortmannin, a specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K). We also found that palmitate downregulated insulin-stimulated Tyr632 phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and up-regulated IRS-1 Ser307 phosphorylation. These effects were rebalanced by silibinin. Considering several serine/threonine kinases reported to phosphorylate IRS-1 at Ser307, treatment with silibinin downregulated the phosphorylation of both c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and nuclear factor-κB kinase β (IKKβ), which was increased by palmitate in C2C12 myotubes mediating inflammatory status, whereas the phosphorylation of PKC-θ was not significantly modulated by silibinin. Collectively, the results indicated that silibinin prevented inhibition of the IRS-1/PI3K/Akt pathway, thus ameliorating palmitate-induced insulin resistance in C2C12 myotubes.

An animal experimental study of porous magnesium scaffold degradation and osteogenesis

Our objective was to observe the biodegradable and osteogenic properties of magnesium scaffolding under in vivo conditions. Twelve 6-month-old male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups. The chosen operation site was the femoral condyle on the right side. The experimental group was implanted with porous magnesium scaffolds, while the control group was implanted with hydroxyapatite scaffolds. X-ray and blood tests, which included serum magnesium, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine (CREA), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were performed serially at 1, 2, and 3 weeks, and 1, 2, and 3 months. All rabbits were killed 3 months postoperatively, and the heart, kidney, spleen, and liver were analyzed with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The bone samples were subjected to microcomputed tomography scanning (micro-CT) and hard tissue biopsy. SPSS 13.0 (USA) was used for data analysis, and values of P<0.05 were considered to be significant. Bubbles appeared in the X-ray of the experimental group after 2 weeks, whereas there was no gas in the control group. There were no statistical differences for the serum magnesium concentrations, ALT, BUN, and CREA between the two groups (P>0.05). All HE-stained slices were normal, which suggested good biocompatibility of the scaffold. Micro-CT showed that magnesium scaffolds degraded mainly from the outside to inside, and new bone was ingrown following the degradation of magnesium scaffolds. The hydroxyapatite scaffold was not degraded and had fewer osteoblasts scattered on its surface. There was a significant difference in the new bone formation and scaffold bioabsorption between the two groups (9.29±1.27 vs 1.40±0.49 and 7.80±0.50 vs 0.00±0.00 mm3, respectively; P<0.05). The magnesium scaffold performed well in degradation and osteogenesis, and is a promising material for orthopedics.

Involvement of miR-30c in resistance to doxorubicin by regulating YWHAZ in breast cancer cells

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules that modulate gene expression implicated in cancer, which play crucial roles in diverse biological processes, such as development, differentiation, apoptosis, and proliferation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether miR-30c mediated the resistance of breast cancer cells to the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (ADR) by targeting tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein zeta (YWHAZ). miR-30c was downregulated in the doxorubicin-resistant human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7/ADR and MDA-MB-231/ADR compared with their parental MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, respectively. Furthermore, we observed that transfection of an miR-30c mimic significantly suppressed the ability of MCF-7/ADR to resist doxorubicin. Moreover, the anti-apoptotic gene YWHAZ was confirmed as a target of miR-30c by luciferase reporter assay, and further studies indicated that the mechanism for miR-30c on the sensitivity of breast cancer cells involved YWHAZ and its downstream p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) pathway. Together, our findings provided evidence that miR-30c was one of the important miRNAs in doxorubicin resistance by regulating YWHAZ in the breast cancer cell line MCF-7/ADR.

A Randomized Trial of Ligustrazini Hydrochlorioi in the Treatment of Viral Encephalitis in Children.

Introduction: Chuanxiong is a herb used in traditional Chinese medicine for the Treatment of viral encephalitis. In animal studies it has shown to inhibit the synthesis and activity of Thromboxane (TXA2) and abate the imbalance between Thromboxane (TXA2) and Prostacyclin (PGI2). As a result, cerebral edema, ischemia and hypoxia could be improved. The aim of this study is to evaluate its effect in the treatment of viral encephalitis in children. Methodology: Ninety-nine patients with viral encephalitis were randomly divided into two groups. Ligustrazini Hydrochlorioi (LH) consisting of 51 cases (males 30, females 21; age 5 years and nine month±8 years and 2month) was given LH 4mg/kg per day in 100- 300mls of 10% glucose and infused intravenously over a three to four hour period, for 7 days as a course of treatment. A control groups of 48 cases(males 31, females 17; age 5 years and three month±4 years and three month) received the conventional treatment of Vitamin C(2.0-3.0g), Coenzyme A(100u) and Adenosine Triphosphate(ATP)(40mg) in 100-300 mls of 10% glucose infused intravenously daily for 7 days. Results: The total response rate in the LH group and the control group were 94.12% and 68.75% respectively (u=3.271 p<0.05). The average time to improvement was 4.29±1.41 days and 7.31±2.66 days respectively. No adverse effect was observed in both groups. Conclusion: We conclude that LH is an effective, safe and well tolerated treatment for children encephalitis.

A School Outbreak of Shigella sonnei Infection in China: Clinical Features, Antibiotic Susceptibility and Molecular Epidemiology.

Objective: To describe the clinical features of infection, and the antibiotic susceptibility of epidemic strains, and investigate plasmid maps and integrons of the isolates from an outbreak of Shigella sonnei infection at an elementary school in southwest China. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: An elementary school and five hospitals in Chengdu in southwest China. Results: There were 1,134 students in the school. 937 (82.6%) students had signs and symptoms. Of the 568 (60.6%, 568/937) hospitalized students, 93.3% 86.8%, 72.4%, and 28.9% of the hospitalized patients had diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and vomiting, respectively. S. sonnei strains were isolated from the stool samples of 36.0% (337/937) students. All of the outbreak isolates had the same high-level antimicrobial resistance and plasmid profiles, which were different from that of sporadic strains. All the outbreak S. sonnei isolates were positive for the integrin gene and contained class 2 integron; however, two outbreak isolates contained class 1 and class 2 integrons. Conclusions: Diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain were the three most common clinical manifestations observed in patients infected with S. sonnei. High-level antibiotic resistance was observed among Shigella species.

Therapeutic effects of Sophora moorcroftiana alkaloids in combination with albendazole in mice experimentally infected with protoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus

The objective of the present study was to determine if the combination of alkaloids from Sophora moorcroftiana seeds and albendazole might be effective in the treatment of experimental echinococcosisin female NIH mice (6 weeks old and weighing 18-20 g, N = 8 in each group) infected withprotoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus. Viable protoscolices (N = 6 x 103) were cultured in vitro in 1640 medium and mortality was calculated daily. To determine the in vivo efficacy, mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with viable protoscolices and then treated once daily by gavage for three months with the alkaloids (50 mg kg-1 day-1) and albendazole (50 mg kg-1 day-1), separately and in combination (both alkaloids at 25 mg kg-1 day-1 and albendazole at 25 mg kg-1 day-1). Next, the hydatid cysts collected from the peritoneal cavity of the animals were weighed and serum IL-4, IL-2, and IgE levels were analyzed. Administration of alkaloids to cultured protoscolices showed significant dose- and time-dependent killing effects. The weight of hydatid cysts was significantly decreased upon treatment with each drug (P < 0.01), but the decrease was more prominent and the rate of hydatid cyst growth inhibition was much higher (76.1 percent) in the group receiving the combined treatments (18.3 ± 4.6 mg). IL-4 and total IgE were decreased (939 ± 447 pg/mL and 2.03 ± 0.42 IU/mL, respectively) in serum from mice treated with alkaloids and albendazole compared with the untreated control (1481 ± 619 pg/mL and 3.31 ± 0.37 IU/mL; P < 0.01). These results indicate that S. moorcroftiana alkaloids have protoscolicidal effects and the combination of alkaloids and albendazole has significant additive effects.

Development of fetal nicotine and muscarinic receptors in utero

The role of acetylcholine in the central and peripheral nervous systems is well established in adults. Cholinergic modulation of vascular functions and body fluid balance has been extensively studied. In the embryo-fetus, cholinergic receptors are widespread in the peripheral and central systems, including smooth muscle and the epithelial lining of the cardiovascular, digestive, and urinary systems, as well as in the brain. Fetal nicotine and muscarinic receptors develop in a pattern (e.g., amount and distribution) related to gestational periods. Cholinergic mechanisms have been found to be relatively intact and functional in the control of vascular homeostasis during fetal life in utero at least during the last third of gestation. This review focuses on the development of fetal nicotine and muscarinic receptors, and provides information indicating that central cholinergic systems are well developed in the control of fetal blood pressure and body fluid balance before birth. Therefore, the development of cholinergic systems in utero plays an important role in fetal vascular regulation, gastrointestinal motility, and urinary control.

Relapses in leprosy patients treated with rifampicin plus dapsone after varying periods of dapsone monotherapy.

Leprosy patients treated formerly with dapsone monotherapy followed by combined therapy with rifampicin plus dapsone were surveyed for relapse and rifampicin resistance. The relapse rate was significantly low for the 482 multibacillary (MB) patients receiving > 12 months combined therapy compared with the 49 MB cases receiving < 12 months of combined therapy. The relapse rate was related to the duration of dapsone monotherapy prior to combined therapy. The difference in relapse rate in 247 paucibacillary (PB) patients following > 12 months combined therapy was also of significance, compared with the 66 PB cases who had received < 12 months combined therapy. Five strains of M. leprae isolated from relapsed patients were sensitive to rifampicin by mouse foot-pad test and all relapsed patients responded favourably to fixed duration MDT regimen for MB cases.

Interaciones entre nutrientes y factores peptidos de crecimiento, en el desarrollo reparacion y funcionamiento de la mucosa intestinal / Nutrition and restitution of bowel mucosa

Diversas evidencias demuestran que el estado nutricional general, de ciertos nutrientes (zinc y glutamina, por ejemplo) y algunos factores tróficos de crecimiento (como la hormona de crecimiento, el factor de crecimiento 1 similar a la insulina, el factor de crecimiento de los queratinocitos y el péptido 2 similar al glucagón), tienen interacciones que son importantes para el desarrollo y funcionamiento de la mucosa intestinal. Un estado nutricionai adecuado es indispensable para la síntesis del factor endógeno de crecimiento en el intestino y otros tejidos, y es también mediador importante de la respuesta orgánica a la administración de factor exógeno de crecimiento. Los factores de crecimiento, tanto el sintetizado de modo endógeno, como el administrado en forma exógena, regulan en forma positiva la captación y utilización de nutrientes en la mucosa intestinal, el músculo esquelético y otros órganos, los datos que surgen de estudios, tanto en animales como en seres humanos indican, que la combinación de algunos factores de crecimiento con ciertos nutrientes pueden incrementar el desarrollo, adaptación y reparación de la mucosa intestinal. Se requieren estudios adicionales para determinar cuáles son los mecanismos básicos de las interacciones entre nutrientes y factores de crecimiento, así como la seguridad y eficacia de tratamientos con combinaciones específicas de nutrientes y factores de crecimiento recombinantes. Los resultados de tales investigaciones deberán definir nuevos métodos para el soporte del tracto intestinal en casos de síndrome de intestino corto (SUS, sigla en inglés), enfermedad catabólica y desnutrición

Effects of inhibitors of the tyrosine kinase signaling cascade on an in vitro model of allergic airways.

It has been shown that activation of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) is the earliest detectable signaling response to FcepsilonRI cross-linking on mast cells. Following tyrosine kinase activation, a family of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was found to be activated as well. Activation of this PTK signaling cascade will lead to mast cell degranulation. This review summarizes our recent studies on the role of PTK signaling cascade in an in vitro guinea pig model of allergic asthma using PTK inhibitors, genistein and tyrphostin 47, and MAPK kinase inhibitor, PD098059. Inhibitors of the PTK and MAPK signaling pathways significantly attenuated the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced bronchial anaphylactic contraction and enhanced relaxation of constricted airways, respectively, and substantially blocked the release of histamine and peptidoleukotrienes from chopped lung preparations induced by OVA. Based upon their substantial inhibitory effects on the Schultz-Dale reaction, further examination on the potential anti-asthmatic effects of PTK cascade inhibitors in an in vivo model of allergic asthma is recommended.

Primary health care: the basis for malaria control in Hubei, China.

By 1992 malaria morbidity in Hubei, China had decreased steadily to its lowest level since 1970. Much of this achievement was through an integration of the primary health services with malaria control activities. However, in some areas malaria has been unstable due to weaknesses in the three tier health network. This has particularly been at the township and village level. The future of village doctors and appropriate measures of malaria control at the village levels are threatened by the change to a market economy. As part of the provincial health program, primary care services need to be improved in service provision, service organization and service quality.