Human gastric cancer cells (MKN-45) were transfected with pULB3238 (a plasmid carrying MVMp NS gene). After the NS gene expressed, some of the NS-transfectants were died. The other cells were survived. In comparison with those of control MKN-45, the survived NS- transfected MKN-45 cells had the following characterizations: (a). nucleus/cytoplasm ratio reduced; (b). generation time prolonged;(c). adhesion ability between cells increased;(d). cloning efficiency decreased;(e). formation of tumors in nude mice suppressed. To investigate the possible mechanisms of above mentioned change of NS-transfectants, the effect of NS on the expression of some cytokine genes were explored. RNA dot blot indicated that the NS might enhance the expression of IL-l?(2.7 times), IL-1/?(4.6 times) IL- 6 nuclear factor (2.5 times) and had no effect on the expression of IL-6. The results suggested that the antineoplastic activity of parvoviruses may be medicated by NS interfere with the expression of cytokines in the host cells.

Objective To study the value of ultrasound in operation for traumatic brain injury (TBI) in simulation field hospitals where computed tomography (CT) equipment is unavailable.Methods The wartime conditions were simulated, and the patients at age of 18-60 years were randomly selected.According to the principles of medical ethics, all patients received CT scanning.Two neurosur-geons from the field hospital who did not know the result of CT examination cooperated with another two neurosurgeons who got the results of the CT examination to determine whether operation should be ap-plied.Forty-five patients who needed emergency craniotomy were finally selected.The operations were performed by two neurosurgeons from the field hospital, with real-time ultrasound monitoring.The results of ultrasound were compared with that of CT scanning.Results A total of 64 lesions were found by ul-trasound , and 60 of which should be treated by operation.In the meantime, 82 lesions were found by CT scanning, 64 of which should be treated operatively.Epidural hematoma and subdural hematoma had high ultrasound detection rate, followed by intracerebral hematoma, subdural effusion and brain contusion.The overall detection rate of ultrasound was 87.1%.Conclusion Ultrasound plays an important role in correctly finding the focus so as to reduce blind operation and avoid omission of the focus in field hospi-tals, where CT equipment is usually unavailable.

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.Conclusion 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.