[Management of the internal carotid artery during lateral skull base surgery: a series of 41 cases].

Objective: To introduce our experience on dealing with the internal carotid artery (ICA) during the resection of lateral skull base tumors, and to explore the reference values for using radiological findings to make a rational surgical plan. Methods: A retrospective study of patients who underwent resection of lateral skull base tumors involving ICA at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from May 2015 to May 2021 was conducted. The demographic information, preoperative examinations, diagnosis, surgical details and follow-ups were collected. A total of 41 patients were enrolled [24 (58.5%] females, 17 (41.5%) males], with an average age of 47.9 years. According to the preoperative imaging findings, the relationships between the tumors and ICA were divided into four types: adjacency, compression, invasion and ICA aneurysm. Results: The ICA was preserved in 32 (78.0%, 32/41) cases and was reconstructed in nine (22.0%, 9/41) cases. All the 27 (65.9%, 27/41) tumors adjacent to ICA were successfully separated from the artery. Among the 11 tumors compressing the ICA, six were resected with the involved ICA segment and vascular reconstruction was conducted. One (2.4%, 1/41) tumor invading ICA and two (4.9%, 2/41) ICA aneurysms required revascularization. The mean follow-up time was (26.1±2.9) months. There was no recurrence, except one case of adenoid cystic carcinoma which had brain metastases one year after surgery. Conclusions: According to the preoperative imaging, lateral skull base tumors adjacent to ICA can be detached from the vascular surface. Separation should be attempted first for tumors compressing ICA, and revascularization should be followed if separation failed. Vascular reconstruction is usually needed in the removal of tumors invading ICA and ICA aneurysms. Preoperative radiology can provide good references for planning a surgery for lateral skull base tumors.

Analysis of specific serum markers of colon carcinoma using a Bhattacharyya-based support vector machine.

We aimed to evaluate the specificity of 12 tumor markers related to colon carcinoma and identify the most sensitive index. Bhattacharyya distance was used to evaluate the index. Then, different index combinations were used to establish a support vector machine (SVM) diagnosis model of malignant colon carcinoma. The accuracy of the model was checked. High accuracy was assumed to indicate the high specificity of the index. The Bhattacharyya distances of carcinoembryonic antigen, neuron-specific enolase, alpha-feto protein, and CA724 were the largest, and those of CYFRA21-І, CA125, and UGT1A83 were the second largest. The specificity of the combination of the above seven indexes was higher than that of other combinations, and the accuracy of the established SVM identification model was high. Using Bhattacharyya distance detection and establishing an SVM model based on different serum marker combinations can increase diagnostic accuracy, providing a theoretical basis for application of mathematical models in cancer diagnosis.

Four mono-tetrahydrofuran ring acetogenins, montanacins B-E, from Annona montana.

Four novel mono-tetrahydrofuran (THF) acetogenins, montanacins B-E (1-4), were isolated from the ethanolic extract of the leaves of Annona montana. The structures of 1-4 were established by spectroscopic methods and their absolute stereochemistries were determined by the advanced Mosher ester method. Montancins D (3) and E (4) bear a non-adjacent tetrahydropyran (THP) ring along with a THF ring and are the most unusual type of acetogenins discovered so far.

[Study of the high polymorphism STR locus-FGA in Chinese population].

Population genetic study of the complicated STR locus-FGA was performed by the method of PCR in Han population samples. A total of 21 different alleles including 7 interalleles and 63 different genotypes were observed in 349 unrelated individuals. The observed genotype discrimination showed no significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and 51 family studies showed no mutation. According to the results obtained in this study(DP = 0.9612, PE = 0.7007, PIC = 0.8333), this system can be used as an useful means in forensic identification of both criminal and paternity case.

[Polymorphic study of CSF1PO locus in Han population in Wuhan].

Using the primers designed by Yoshida, the amplified fragment length polymorphism of the STR locus CSF1PO was studied. 8 alleles were determined from 312 unrelated individuals of Han population living in Wuhan. Sensitivity and suitability of the PCR-STR typing using Yoshida's primers were compared with the one using Hammond's. Results proved that Yoshida's method were more suitable in forensic identification than that of Hammond, especially in the typing of severely degraded DNA samples.

Effect of intrauterine injection of chlorpromazin on implantation in the rat.

In rats, injection of chlorpromazin hydrochloride (CPZ), a calmodulin antagonist, to each uterine horn had a significant (87%) anti-implantation effect and 100% antifertility effect. Both of these rates were zero in the saline control group. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of the uterine fluid showed a decrease in the protein content and certain changes in its chemical composition, in particular, a marked reduction in the number of bands of estradiol-induced 70 kD proteins in the experimental group. No significant difference was found in the ovarian weight and the serum estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) levels between the two groups. These results suggest that calmodulin influences the process of implantation and this effect is not directly related to the serum concentrations of E2 and P. It is believed that CPZ probably exerted its anti-implantation effect by a direct action on the uterus.

Acute adenosine treatment is effective in augmentation of ischemic tolerance in muscle flaps in the pig.

The objective of the present project was to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of acute (10-minute) adenosine treatment for augmentation of ischemic tolerance in muscle flaps in pigs. Varying doses of adenosine were infused into 28 latissimus dorsi muscle flaps through the axillary artery (0, 0.5, or 2.0 mg per flap) and 22 gracilis muscle flaps through the medial circumflex femoral artery (0, 10, or 20 mg per flap) over 10 minutes. Ten minutes after adenosine infusion, these muscle flaps were subjected to 4 hours of sustained warm global ischemia. In addition, one group of latissimus dorsi muscle flaps (n = 6) received a 10-minute intraarterial adenosine infusion (0.5 mg) at the beginning of reperfusion. Muscle biopsies (n = 4 or 5) for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) analysis were obtained before and after adenosine infusion and at the end of 4 hours of ischemia. The extent of muscle infarction was assessed at 48 hours of reperfusion by the tetrazolium dye staining technique. Muscle blood flow in latissimus dorsi muscle flaps was measured at the end of adenosine infusion (0 or 0.5 mg per flap, n = 8) by the radioactive microsphere (15-microns) technique. It was observed that adenosine, at all doses tested, significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the extent of muscle infarction in latissimus dorsi muscle flaps (control, 40.3 +/- 2.2 percent; 0.5 mg, 20.6 +/- 1.6 percent; 2.0 mg, 18.2 +/- 1 percent) and gracilis muscle flaps (control, 31.0 +/- 1.5 percent; 10 mg, 14.3 +/- 3 percent; 20 mg, 11.6 +/- 1.2 percent). Preischemic adenosine treatment (0.5 mg per flap) was associated with maintenance of a significantly (p < 0.05) higher muscle content of ATP in latissimus dorsi muscle flaps at the end of 4 hours of ischemia compared with saline-treated ischemic controls. Postischemic adenosine treatment did not protect latissimus dorsi muscle flaps against infarction. Furthermore, adenosine treatment did not have any significant effect on mean systemic arterial blood pressure or muscle blood flow in latissimus dorsi muscle flaps. It is concluded that acute (10-minute) preischemic adenosine treatment is effective in augmentation of ischemic tolerance in muscle flaps and that this protective effect of adenosine may be, at least in part, the result of slowing muscle ATP depletion during sustained ischemia. The possible mechanisms of this adenosine-induced energysparing effect are discussed.

Vascular effects and mechanism of action of endothelin-1 in isolated perfused pig skin.

We investigated the vascular effects and mechanism of action of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the skin by intra-arterial infusion of ET-1 and its precursor Big ET-1 via a direct cutaneous artery in isolated perfused pig skin flaps (6 x 16 cm). The vascular contractivity was studied by monitoring the perfusion pressure in the skin flap. There was evidence to indicate local conversion of Big ET-1 to ET-1 in the pig skin. It was also observed that ET-1 was a potent long-lasting vasoconstrictor with a potency of approximately 10- and 300-fold higher than those of Big ET-1 and norepinephrine, respectively. The vasoconstrictor action of ET-1 was blocked (P < 0.01) by a selective ETA-receptor antagonist (BQ-123 or BQ-610; 10(-7) M) and enhanced (P < 0.05) by a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (NG-monomethyl-L-arginine or N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester; 10(-5) M). ET-1-induced increase in perfusion pressure was attenuated (P < 0.05) by an L-type Ca(2+)-channel antagonist (nitrendipine, verapamil, or nifedipine; 10(-5) M) and by removal of Ca2+ from the perfusate. ET-1-induced increase in perfusion pressure was also attenuated (P < 0.05) by a phospholipase C inhibitor (neomycin; 10(-2) M), a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor (chelerythrine or H-7; 10(-5) M), and an intracellular Ca2+ chelator [1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)]ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA); 10(-5) M]. Furthermore, it was observed that the concentration-dependent (5 x 10(-8) to 10(-5) M) increase in perfusion pressure induced by phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, a PKC activator, was not affected by verapamil (10(-5) M) or removal of Ca2+ from the perfusate. Taken together, these observations suggest that the vasoconstrictor mechanism of ET-1 in the pig skin involved activation of ETA receptors, L-type Ca2+ channels, phospholipase C, and PKC and that the vasoconstrictor effect caused by activation of PKC was independent of L-type Ca2+ channels.

Acute ischaemic preconditioning protects against skeletal muscle infarction in the pig.

OBJECTIVE: The aims were to investigate the efficacy of acute ischaemic preconditioning for protection of skeletal muscles against infarction and its effect on muscle blood flow and ischaemic muscle metabolism. METHODS: The efficacy of preconditioning was tested by subjecting pig latissimus dorsi and gracilis muscles to different numbers and durations of ischaemia/reperfusion cycles before 4 h of global ischaemia. Infarction was assessed at 48 h of reperfusion, using nitroblue tetrazolium dye. Blood flow in the latissimus dorsi was measured at the end of preconditioning and 1.5 and 3.0 h of reperfusion, using the radioactive microsphere (15 microns) technique. Muscle biopsies were taken from the latissimus dorsi before ischaemia, at the end of 2 and 4 h of ischaemia, and 1.5 h of reperfusion. RESULTS: At least three cycles of 10 min ischaemia and 10 min reperfusion were required for preconditioning of latissimus dorsi and gracilis muscles for protection against infarction. Preconditioning reduced the total infarct size by 44% and 62% in latissimus dorsi and gracilis muscles, respectively. Preconditioning did not affect preischaemia muscle blood flow but it reduced the muscle content (preischaemia reserve) of phosphocreatine and ATP and the muscle energy charge potential (ECP) by 13.5%*, 27.5%*, and 8%* (*P < 0.05), respectively. In spite of a lower preischaemia reserve of phosphocreatine and ATP, the muscle contents of phosphocreatine and ATP and muscle ECP were maintained higher and the lactate lower (*P < or = 0.05) in the preconditioned than in the non-preconditioned (control) muscles at the end of 4 h of ischaemia [phosphocreatine 8.0(SEM 0.4) v 3.2(0.3)*; ATP 9.8(0.7) v 7.8(0.3); ECP 0.72(0.02) v 0.66(0.01)*; lactate 115.4(8.6) v 160.5(11.8)* mumol.g-1 dry muscle]. The level of ATP and ECP also remained significantly higher and the level of lactate significantly lower in the preconditioned than in the non-preconditioned latissimus dorsi muscles at 1.5 h of reperfusion. Hyperaemia was seen in the preconditioned latissimus dorsi muscles at 1.5 h of reperfusion and it subsided by the end of 3h of reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: The protective effect of preconditioning can be induced in pig skeletal muscle but at a higher threshold than reported previously in pig cardiac muscle (one cycle). Preconditioning of pig skeletal muscle is associated with a lower energy metabolism during sustained ischaemia. At the present time, it is not known if this energy sparing effect is a major mechanism of ischaemic preconditioning against infarction in skeletal muscles.

A survey of cigarette smoking among middle school students in 1988.

A survey of the prevalence of smoking in middle school students aged 13-21 years in Harbin city, China, was undertaken in the Spring of 1988. A random sample of 4712 students was selected using proportional stratified clustering. A self-administered confidential questionnaire relating to smoking habits and certain family and school factors was administered. The results showed that 1.29% of the students (2.21% boys and 0.38% girls) smoked regularly, 5.62% (10.52% boys and 0.76% girls) were light smokers and 13.77% (24.29% boys and 2.92% girls) smoked only occasionally. Smoking habits were related to the type of school and to age, there being a higher proportion of smoking in senior grade students. Students were significantly more likely to smoke if they were male and if their siblings smoked. Prevalence of regular smoking was not related to parental occupation or family income. It is suggested that anti-smoking education in the school curriculum should be directed towards students in middle school.

Typing study of human semen DIA3 by isoelectric focusing--distribution in the Wuhan population, China.

Human semen DIA3 typing was studied by isoelectric focusing on ultra-thin-layer polyacrylamide gel which resulted in a simpler and more definite separation of the products of DIA3 alleles than hitherto. In 198 semen samples collected from unrelated Chinese males four different phenotypes were observed. The DIA3 allele frequencies were calculated: DIA 3(1) = 0.7727, DIA 3(2) = 0.2172, DIA 3(3) = 0.0101. The results of the stability study of 12 laboratory-prepared semen stains stored at room temperature suggested that DIA3 in seminal strains is a relatively stable genetic marker. Our gene frequencies have been compared to those reported in other populations.

An improved method for semen alpha-L-fucosidase typing--distribution in the Wuhan population of China.

An improved method for the separation of the genetic variants of alpha-L-fucosidase in human semen is described. The method involves, isoelectric focusing in ultrathin-layer PAG containing a mixture of ampholines, pH 5-7 and pH 3.5-9.5, and separator HEPES. The Fu pattern obtained is simple, easy to interpret, and reproducible. The occurrence of fucosidase phenotypes in 189 semen samples from the population of Wuhan was investigated, and the frequencies of the Fu alleles were calculated.