[Clinicopathologic analysis of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (PLAM).

Methods: By means of HE and immunohistochemistry (SP method) studies, the clinical and pathological features of 5 PLAM cases were analyzed and the related literature reviewed.

Results: PLAM was a rare lung disease of unknown etiology and was restricted to females who were generally pre-menopausal.

Beta-carotene protects rats against bronchitis induced by cigarette smoking.

Objective: To investigate the protective effects of beta-carotene in rats against the development of chronic bronchitis induced by cigarette smoking.

Methods: Forty-two Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three study groups: (1) control (n = 15), animals underwent no treatment; (2) cigarette smoking (n = 15), animals developed chronic bronchitis through long-term cigarette smoking twice a day for 75 d; (3) beta-carotene plus cigarette smoking animals (n = 12) were given 1 ml or 15 mg/kg beta-carotene orally every day just before cigarette smoking. The levels of IL-6, IL-8, NO, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipoperoxide (LPO) in serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were measured and the pathological changes to lung tissue were analyzed using light microscopy.

[Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in colorectal cancer and its clinical significance].

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and colorectal cancer.

Methods: Samples of cancer and adjacent normal mucosa were taken from 34 patients with colorectal cancer. The percentage and average fluorescence intensity pf VEGF positive cells in these samples were examined by using flow cytometry.