Volume 111 · Issue 02 · 1998

Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) is a major cause of death in patients with chronic liver disease. One of the difficulties in the management of PHC is its extensive character: intrahepatic metastasis, venous invasion and distant metastasis. In the process of metastasis, tumor cells are scattered from the original site, spread hematogenously and arrested at small vessel. Thus, detection of tumor cells in the circulation might predict metastasis of the tumor. However, the number of cells in circulation could be much too small to be detected morphologically.

OBJECTIVE To study the injury factors, pathogenic process and clinical features of delay two-phase multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in severe burned patients and to replicate a standardized animal model that would accurately imitate the clinical features of MODS. METHODS Forty-five human patients with burn size larger than 30% total body surface area (TBSA) were analyzed. All of them underwent severe burn shock in early stage and sepsis in late stage. Thirty-two goats were randomly divided into three groups: 1) hemorrhagic shock (group H, n = 6); 2) endotoxemia (group E, n = 6); and 3) hemorrhagic shock plus endotoxemia (group M, n = 20). Hemorrhagic shock was produced according to the method of Wigger (6.7 kPa for an hour, 1 kPa = 7.5 mmHg). Endotoxin (E. coli O111 B4) was given via the portal vein 24 hours after the resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock, in a dose of 30 ng/kg/min for 5 consecutive days. During the observation period of 10 days, all animals were hemodynamically monitored, given standard metabolic support and due cardiac and pulmonary support according to human intensive care. RESULTS All the patients showed burn shock at 1-3 days and hyperdynamic circulation, hypermetabolism and systemic inflammatory responses over two weeks post-injury. Thirteen cases were found to develop MODS according to the prevailing diagnostic criteria, and 10 of them died with a mortality of 77%. Eighteen animals died in group M with a mortality of 90%, 12 of the 18 developed MODS, with overall incidence of 60%. Most animals in group M showed changes similar to that observed in human cases. The experimentation proved that in the pathogenic process of MODS, there was a two-hit phenomenon in the dvelopment of the syndrome. To prevent the development of MODS, it therefore was imperative to blunt the first hit or the second hit, so that an excessive inflammatory response was alleviated. This postulation has been verified in the treatment of extensive burns. Two patients with burn extent reaching 100% TBSA survived with only mild acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and renal dysfunction after comprehensive treatment of burn shock, including adequate fluid resuscitation, drugs to remove oxygen free radicals, rapid restoration of pHi, and early extensive excision of burn eschars. CONCLUSIONS Both in human patients or animal experimentation, the typical delay two-phase MODS is shown to be produced by two successive insults in the forms of hypovolemic shock and sepsis. This postulation is helpful in formulating the prevention and treatment modality of MODS.

OBJECTIVE To design and produce serial shock tubes and further examine their application to experimental studies on blast injury. METHODS Bio-medical engineering technique was used for the design and development of the serial shock tubes. One thousand four hundred and fifty nine animals (757 rats, 105 guinea pigs, 335 rabbits, 240 dogs and 22 sheep) were then used to test the wounding effects of the shock tubes. RESULTS Three types of bio-shock tubes, that is, large-, medium- and small-scale shock tubes were made in our laboratory. The large-scale shock tube is 39 meters long; the inner diameter of the test section is 1 meter; and the maximum overpressure in the driving section is 10.3 MPa. A negative pressure could be formed by means of the reflected rarefactive wave produced by the end plate. The medium-scale shock tube is 34.5 meters long; the maximum overpressure in the driving section is 22 MPa; the test section is designed to be a knockdown, showing 5 basic types with inner diameter of 77 to 600 millimeters, which could be used for researches on overpressure, explosive decompression, underwater explosion, and so on. The small-scale shock tube is 0.5 meter long with the maximum endured overpressure of 68.6 MPa. Results from animal experiments showed that this set of shock tubes could induce various degrees of systemic or local blast injury in large or small animals. CONCLUSIONS This set of bio-shock tubes can approximately simulate typical explosive wave produced by nuclear or charge explosion, and inflict various degrees of blast injury characterized by stability and reproducibility. Therefore, they can meet the needs of blast research on large and small animals.

OBJECTIVE To make clear the range of firearm wound in the maxillofacial region, the optical repair time and the characteristics of accompanied indirect brain damage, and to offer the principle of emergency treatment and the early repair of war wound. METHODS With the aid of the standard Sweden model, 200 dogs were used in the experiment. Varies tissues around the primary canal were harvested chronologically, in different zone and different tissue, for histopathological examination. RESULTS The necrotic range of various tissues in the maxillofacial region was less than that in the extremities. In the maxillofacial region, there was a significant temporary cavity following the passing of bullet, which caused indirect brain damages. CONCLUSIONS These findings are helpful to the treatment of war wound in the maxillofacial region. Early bone transplantation using microvascular anastomosis in the treatment of gunshot wound in the maxillofacial region is recommendable.

OBJECTIVE To systemically investigate 1) distribution of endogenous endotoxin (ET) in tissues and circulation; 2) its relationship with shock duration and organ damage; and 3) its possible mechanism after hemorrhagic shock. METHODS To further elucidate the intrinsic relationship between endogenous endotoxin translocation and hemorrhagic shock, the present study systematically investigated the distribution of endogenous ET into the liver, lungs, kidneys and circulation, and the relationship between ET levels and the corresponding organ dysfunction with limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) chromogenic assay following hemorrhagic shock in rats. RESULTS It was found that ET levels in hepatic homogenate markedly increased (P = 0.09) 1.5 hours following shock compared with that in the sham group. After resuscitation, ET levels in hepatic, pulmonary and renal tissues were all significantly elevated. The levels kept increasing with the prolonged experimental time, and reached as high as 3.88±0.95 EU (endotoxin unit)/g in the livers, 2.53±1.46 EU/g in the lungs and 2.51±0.89 EU/g in the kidneys 12 hours after shock. ET levels in plasma reached a peak of 1.13±0.42 EU/ml at 1 hour following resuscitation, then rapidly decreased to the sham levels 3 hours following resuscitation. There was a close relationship between endotoxin translocation and shock duration. Correlation analysis further indicated that the changes in glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in plasma and angiotensin I-converting exzyme (ACE) in pulmonary homogenate were significantly and positively correlated with the ET levels in the liver, kidneys and lungs after hemorrhagic shock. CONCLUSIONS Hemorrhagic shock can induce obvious endogenous ET translocation, which is closely related to the shock duration. Although only transient endotoxemia occurs after hemorrhagic shock, ET can massively accumulate in tissues (liver, lungs and kidneys), and may play an important role in the development of shock.

OBJECTIVE To study the preventive effect of artemether (Art) in protecting the people from schistosome infection during flood fighting in schistosomiasis endemic area of Poyang Lake, Jiangxi Province. METHODS From mid July to mid August in 1996, the water level in Poyang Lake rose due to torrential rains and 2 embankments, Zhedi and Jiangtongdi, which appeared in dangerous situation and were selected as the pilot spots. After those who went to fight against flood arrived at the pilots their sera were collected within 48 hours and were examined with indirect hemagglutination test (IHA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and McAb-ELISA. Individuals with negative outcome in the 3 tests were then selected as the study subjects and were allocated randomly to the Art or the control group. The first dose of Art given to the individuals contacted with the infested water within 11-15 days was 6 mg/kg. If the individual continually contacted the infested water, the same dose of Art was given once every 15 days. After the individuals withdrew from the pilot, one more dose of Art was administered 7-15 days later. Placebo (starch) was given to individuals in the control group at the same period as in artemether group. Stool examinations were made in both groups 40-50 days after the last medication for evaluation of the preventive effect of artemether. Double blind method was used in the administration of both artemether and placebo. RESULTS In Zhedi pilot, the individuals fought against flood for about 1 month. In Art group, 99 individuals receiving 3 doses of the drug completed the stool examination with egg-positive rate of 4% and no acute schistosomiasis was seen. In the control group, among 110 people who completed the observation, 44 were egg-positive with an infection rate of 40%, and 29 were identified as having acute schistosomiasis. In Jiangtondi, the studied individuals contacted the infested water for only about 4 hours. But in the control group 4 out of 102 individuals were egg-positive, while none of the 103 individuals in Art group receiving 2 doses of the drug showed schistosome infection. No apparent side effect was seen in the people treated with artemether. CONCLUSIONS After oral Art was given to the people fighting against flood in schistosomiasis endemic area of Poyang Lake, it was shown that the oral Art has a promising effect on controlling acute schistosomiasis and reducing the infection rate.

OBJECTIVE To determine the concordance in various hepatitis C (HCV) genotyping methods and to investigate the distribution of HCV genotypes in Guizhou area of Southwest China. METHODS Serum samples from 206 patients (100 with chronic hepatitis and 106 with hemopathy) were detected for antibody of HCV by second generation enzyme-labelled immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Thirty-five anti-HCV positive samples were detected for HCV RNA by RT-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and 30 HCV RNA positive samples were determined for their genotypes by three various genotyping methods [PCR with type-specific primers at the core region (primer-set), slot-blot hybridization with type-specific probes at NS5B region (blotting) and the restric fragment length polymorphism analysis of PCR products of 5' NC region (RFLP)]. Ten samples with the known genotype were analysed by the direct sequencing. RESULTS Of 30 samples with positive HCV RNA, the types of 22 could be classified by three methods, and the genotypes determined by various methods had complete concordance. The types of 6 samples could be classified by two methods and 5 had agreement subtypes. The types of two samples could be classified only by RFLP. Overall, 27 (90.0%) had subtype 1b infection and 3 (10.0%) had subtype 2a infection. The nucleotide sequence of 8 samples with subtype 1b and one with subtype 2a were analysed by the direct sequencing. The subtypes determined by sequence analysis were in complete concordance with those decided by various genotyping methods. CONCLUSIONS Subtype 1b is the predominent HCV genotype in Guizhou area, while subtype 2a is less common. There was a good concordance with the genotyping results obtained by various HCV genotyping methods.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the function and characteristics of histamine receptors on the hemopoietic progenitor cells. METHODS BDF1 mice (both male and female), inbred at our university, aged 8-12 weeks, weighing 20-24 g, were used in this study. Bone marrow cells were incubated for 1 hour at 37 ℃ with 2-AT (H1 receptor agonist) or impromidine (H2 receptor agonist) alone, or in combination with the antagonists pyrilamine or cimetidine respectively. Control experiment was performed in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) alone. Cells treated with different drugs were performed by colony forming unit-granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) and colony forming unit-megakaryocyte (CFU-Meg) assay. RESULTS When bone marrow cells were treated with 10-8 mol/L to 10-5 mol/L of 2-thiazolylethylamine (2-AT) which had no influence on CFU-GM and CFU-Meg proliferation, 10-8 mol/L to 10-5 mol/L of impromidine could increase the number of CFU-GM and CFU-Meg colonies. The effects of H2 receptor agonists on CFU-GM, CFU-Meg could be antagonized by H 1 receptor agonist. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest the existence of histamine H1 and H2 receptors on the hemopoietic progenitor cells and the antagonism between two different histamine receptor subtypes on the proliferation of CFU-GM and CFU-Meg.

OBJECTIVE To obtain an objective assessment of the curative effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for port wine stain (PWS), we investigate the relationship between the microvascular perfusion changes of PWS and the blanching of the lesions before and after PDT. METHODS Twenty-four patients (18 females and 6 males with a total of 28 lesions) suffering from PWS were treated with PDT. The lesions of various extents were located on the face and neck. After intravenous injection of photosensitizer hepatoporphyrin derivative (HpD), the copper vapor laser was adopted as light source and the lesions of PWS were irradiated. The laser Doppler perfusion imager (LDI) was used to measure the microcirculatory perfusion of PWS before and after PDT and comparison with the normal skin was done. RESULTS All the lesions showed remarkable decrease of tissue perfusion after PDT. It was shown that the mean, maximal and minimal values of tissue perfusion in the pre-treatment group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.01). Six months after PDT, the mean, maximal and minimal values of perfusion with the lesions were reduced, with significant difference from pre-treatment group (P<0.01), but no significant difference from control's. The colors of lesions were correlated with decrease of microcirculatory perfusion, which became lightened close to normal skin color without causing any scarring. CONCLUSIONS PDT is one of the most effective modalities for PWS. The microcirculation perfusion can reflect the degrees of PWS objectively. The curative effectiveness of PDT for PWS is due to tissue microcirculation response.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of long-term angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor treatment with captopril on cardiac function in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS One hundred and one patients with AMI who were admitted to hospital within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms with no cardiogenic shock were randomly allocated to captopril (n = 52; group I) and conventional treatment (n = 49; group II). Left ventricular (LV) systolic performance and diastolic transmitral flow velocity profiles were assessed by Doppler echocardiography at admission (1.2±1.1 days), before discharge (27±10 days) and during follow-up (363±31 days). RESULTS At one year follow-up, in group I LV end-diastolic volume decreased, and ejection fraction increased due to a disproportionate decrease in end-systolic volume. The incidence of cardiac dilatation was reduced. LV early diastolic filling velocity (E) increased and late atrial filling velocity (A) decreased, resulting in an elevation of E/A ratio. However, the mean values of LV systolic and diastolic functional parameters were unchanged in group II. CONCLUSIONS Long-term treatment with captopril exerts a beneficial effect on cardiac protection for patients with AMI.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the beneficial effects of early coronary reperfusion on left ventricular remodeling (LVRM) and systolic function in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS Eighty-one patients with first AMI in the convalescent stage and having undergone left ventriculography (LVG) and coronary arteriography (CAG) were divided into four groups: the anterolateral wall (ALW) myocardial infarction (MI) non-reperfusion (n = 20) and reperfusion (n = 21), and inferoposterial wall (IPW) MI non-reperfusion (n = 20) and reperfusion (n = 20), according to infarct location and early treatment with or without successful coronary reperfusion therapy within 6 hours after onset of symptoms. By LVG, the parameters of LVRM and systolic function in the four MI groups were analyzed and compared with those in normal group (n = 25) and between the two reperfusion and non-reperfusion MI groups. RESULTS In both ALW and IPW MI non-reperfusion groups, the left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume (EDV), circumference (EDC), short-axis dimension (EDD), short to long axis ratio (ED-D/L), sphericity index (ED-SI) and end-systolic volume (ESV) were all significantly increased (P<0.01-0.001), while LV ejection fractions (LVEF) were significantly decreased (both P<0.001) when compared with those of normal group; and the increase in ESV and decrease in LVEF were both significantly greater in ALW than in IPW MI groups (both P<0.01). In both ALW and IPW MI reperfusion groups, however, the EDV, EDD, ESV, as well as the extent and severity of regional wall motion abnormality (RW-MA) were significantly smaller (P<0.05-0.001), while LVEF were significantly higher (P<0.01-0.001) when compared with those in the two non-reperfusion MI groups respectively. There were no longer significant differences in LVEF and ESV between ALW and IPW MI groups (both P>0.05). The EDC in IPW MI reperfusion group and the ED-D/L and ED-SI in ALW MI reperfusion group were also significantly reduced compared with those in the two non-reperfusion MI groups respectively (P<0.05-0.001). All the above parameters in the two reperfusion MI group were decreased to the normal in comparison with normal group except ESV and LVEF, and ED-D/L and ED-SI in IPW MI group. CONCLUSIONS It was indicated that in both ALW and IPW MI non-reperfusion groups, LVRM had occurred in convalescent stage of AMI with an increase in EDV and EDC, spherical change in LV shape, and accompanying reduction in LV systolic function; and early coronary reperfusion in AMI could reduce the extent and severity of RWMA, prevent from LV enlargement and remodeling, and preserve or improve LV systolic function with more prominence in ALW MI.

Since Hall described a method of valvular excision through microvenotomies and reported the use of in situ saphenous vein grafts in 1962, the technique has been taken to treat lower limb ischemia. In this paper, we presented the results of 28 patients with 30 ischemic legs treated by in situ saphenous vein bypass during the last 60 months.

As the relative nosetilogy of tumors, sexual hormone receptors have gained much attention of scholars. To investigate whether the estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) are present and how they are distributed in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of bladder, 38 patients with TCC of the bladder were studied by enzyme linked histochemical stain method.

OBJECTIVE To review the application of trauma and injury severity score (TRISS) and a severity characterization of trauma (ASCOT) in the outcome evaluation of trauma care and their research advances. Data Sources Both Chinese- and English-language literature searched by using MEDLINE/CD-ROM (1985-1996) and Index of Chinese-Language Literature (1985-1996). Study Selection Over fifty papers and reviews published over the past ten years were selected. Results and Conclusion TRISS can be employed for different purposes, that is, preliminary outcome-based evaluation (PRE) and definitive outcome-based evaluation (DEF). TRISS is a method which is now the most extensively used for the outcome evaluation of trauma. Even so, it still has some shortcomings, e.g., trauma can not be given the weights that should be given, and the section of age is too simple. ASCOT is also a physiologic and anatomic combined method for the evaluation of injury severity and outcome. To some extent, this method obviates the shortcomings of TRISS in the calculation of probability of survival (Ps) with injury severity score (ISS). Therefore, ASCOT is considered to be superior to TRISS in the evaluation of Ps. However, TRISS is still now more extensively used than ASCOT just because ASCOT was recently developed.

OBJECTIVE To present some new concepts in the treatment of fractures and bone defects of long bones with internal fixation. METHODS Animal experiments, mechanical tests and clinical analyses were done. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Reduction of fracture should be perfect, bone defect can be reconstructed by intramedullary and extramedullary bone graft. Relatively rigid fixation at the early stage and elastic fixation at the later stage are beneficial not only for fracture healing, but also for bone remodeling. In order to avoid complications including non-union, immobilization syndrome of the bone and joint, and implant failure, radiographs should be taken periodically; if there is any bone resorption, weight-bearing should be restricted.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health problem throughout the world. More than 400 000 patients with TBI in the United States of America and estimately more than a million patients with TBI in China are admitted to hospital every year. The outcome of patients with TBI has been significantly improved in the decade all over the world, especially in China. Because of both laboratory and clinical advances in TBI, the mortality of severe TBI patients with Glasgow coma scale (GCS) <8 decreases to less than 30%. This paper summarized the main progress of TBI research in China.

Treatment of multiple system organ failure (MSOF) after severe polytrauma is one of the difficult problems in clinical work. One patient with severe polytrauma by falling from 36 m high was admitted to the Surgery Intensive Care Unit of Beijing Emergency Medical Center in September 1993. Then the patient developed MSOF, which affected the function of the heart, lungs, gastrointestinal (GI) tracts, Kidneys, brain and liver, with injury severity score (ISS) of 41, and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE-II) of 44, After 71 days of intensive treatment, the patient was discharged uneventfully with normal treatment, the patient was discharged uneventfully with normal function of all the six organs. The purpose of our paper is too report the treatment course of the case.

Trauma is one of the oldest subjects in medical sciences, because it appeared just as early as human being came to the earth. At the same time, trauma is also a novel subject, because trauma has been strikingly increasing with the high-speed development of economical construction, traffic transport and sharp increase of vehieles in number.