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Q Lu

Publications and source records attributed to Q Lu.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

The effects of aromatase inhibitors and antiestrogens in the nude mouse model.

The effects of antiestrogens, tamoxifen and ICI 182,780, and aromatase inhibitors, arimidex (anastrozole ZD1033) and letrozole (CGS 20,267), on the growth of tumors were studied in nude mice. In this model, estrogen dependent MCF-7 human breast cancer cells stably transfected with the aromatase gene were inoculated in four sites per mouse. Sufficient estrogen is produced from aromatization of androstenedione supplement (0.1 mg/mouse/day) by the cells to stimulate their proliferation, tumor formation, and maintain the uterus similar to that of the intact mouse. Once the tumors reached a measurable size, the mice were injected with antiestrogen or inhibitor for 35-56 days. Tumor volumes were measured weekly. At autopsy, the tumors were removed, cleaned, and weighed. Statistical data was determined from tumor weights. Both antiestrogens were effective in reducing tumor growth in these mice. Tamoxifen appears to be more effective than ICI 182,780, although the former stimulated the uterine weight whereas the pure antiestrogen did not. However, both aromatase inhibitors were more effective than the antiestrogens. Tumor regression was observed with letrozole. Thus, after-treatment tumor weights were less than those of a group of mice at the start of treatment. The aromatase inhibitors also reduced the weight of the uterus, suggesting that these compounds, as well as the pure antiestrogen, may not cause endometrial proliferation, unlike tamoxifen. These aromatase inhibitors may not only benefit patients who have relapsed from tamoxifen, but may be more effective in patients as first line agents for suppressing the effects of estrogen.

Anastrozole↗
PubMed1998

Intratumoral aromatase model: the effects of letrozole (CGS 20267).

An intratumoral aromatase model in the ovariectomized nude mouse was developed which simulated the hormone responsive postmenopausal breast cancer patient. MCF-7, human breast cancer cells transfected with the aromatase gene, inoculated into ovariectomized nude mice are able to synthesize sufficient estrogens to enhance cell proliferation and the development of tumors. These tumors are responsive to both antiestrogens and aromatase inhibitors. However, letrozole was found to be more effective than tamoxifen and caused tumor regression, a result not previously noted in nude mice with endocrine treatments. When the aromatase inhibitors were combined with tamoxifen, tumor growth was suppressed to about the same extent as treatment with the aromatase inhibitors alone. Thus, there was no additive or synergistic effects of combining tamoxifen with aromatase inhibitors. These results suggest that letrozole has the potential to be more effective than tamoxifen for achieving greater reduction in estrogenic effects on tumors and uterus in postmenopausal breast cancer patients. In addition, sequential treatment with these agents is likely to be more beneficial to the patient in terms of longer response to treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Aromatase expression in the human breast.

The plasma levels of free estradiol are very low in postmenopausal women. However, concentrations of estrogens within breast tissue have been reported to be higher than in plasma and similar to plasma concentrations in premenopausal women. One mechanism by which this may occur is for breast cells to synthesize estrogens themselves and produce high concentrations locally. Thus, tumor aromatase may be a significant source of estrogen which stimulates tumor growth. To address the question of the importance of this pathway, we have investigated the expression of aromatase within the normal breast and breast cancers. Because conventional biochemical assays for measuring aromatase activity require relatively large amounts of tissue, we developed an immunocytochemical method using a monoclonal antibody to determine the expression of aromatase. The method can be applied to sections of tumors embedded in paraffin blocks as routinely prepared for pathology. Since we have previously shown that mRNA for aromatase (P450 arom) and the protein are expressed in the same cells of the human placenta, we used in situ hybridization of sequence specific probes to P450 arom mRNA in breast tissue as one method to verify the specificity of the immunocytochemical detection of the enzyme. Both immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization identified aromatase enzyme and mRNA expression in the epithelial cells of the terminal ductal lobula units (TDLU) and surrounding stromal cells of the normal human breast, and in the tumor epithelial cells and stromal cells of breast cancers. In addition, evidence for the functional significance of tumor aromatase was indicated by a correlation between aromatase activity and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the tumor, and by increased thymidine incorporation into DNA in response to testosterone in tumors in histoculture which had high aromatase activity but not in those with low activity. The findings suggests that estrogen produced locally is important in enhancing proliferation of the tumor.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Comparison of biochemical aromatase activity with aromatase immunohistochemistry in human breast carcinomas.

The role of intratumoural aromatase in human breast cancer growth remains controversial. At the same time as the use of aromatase inhibitors in the clinical setting continues to increase, so does the need for a tool to predict the likely response to this treatment. Intratumoural aromatase is a candidate predictive marker. The presently accepted 'gold standard' methods of assessment of aromatase activity are biochemical assays. However, these are time-consuming and require relatively large amounts of fresh or frozen tissue which are frequently not available. The development of a reliable immunohistochemical technique for the assessment of intratumoural aromatase which could be applied rapidly to more readily available paraffin-embedded material is therefore highly desirable. Unfortunately aromatase immunohistochemistry is also an area of controversy; some authors describe localisation to the stromal compartment but others to the malignant epithelial cells themselves. The aim of this study was therefore to compare immunohistochemical scores using two different antibodies with biochemical aromatase activity. Taking a group of 29 human breast carcinomas we demonstrated a strong correlation between immunoreactivity with a monoclonal antibody (p = 0.01) but not with a polyclonal (p = 0.16). The monoclonal produced reactivity in both epithelial and stromal cells but the polyclonal in only stromal cells. The implications of these results are discussed together with the need for further studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Phase behavior of binary and ternary amorphous mixtures containing indomethacin, citric acid, and PVP.

PURPOSE: To better understand the nature of drug-excipient interactions we have studied the phase behavior of amorphous binary and ternary mixtures of citric acid, indomethacin and PVP, as model systems. METHODS: We have prepared amorphous mixtures by co-melting or coprecipitation from solvents, and have measured glass transition temperatures with differential scanning calorimetry. RESULTS: Citric acid and indomethacin in the amorphous state are miscible up to 0.25 weight fraction of citric acid, equivalent to about 2 moles of citric acid and 3 moles of indomethacin. Phase separation, as reflected by two Tg values, occurs without crystallization leading to a saturated citric acid-indomethacin amorphous phase and one essentially containing only citric acid. PVP-citric acid and PVP-indomethacin form non-ideal miscible systems at all compositions. A ternary system containing 0.3 weight fraction of PVP produces a completely miscible system at all citric acid-indomethacin compositions. The use of 0.2 weight fraction of PVP, however, only produces miscibility up to a weight fraction of 0.4 citric acid relative to indomethacin. The two phases above this point appear to contain citric acid in PVP and citric acid in indomethacin, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Two components of an amorphous solid mixture containing citric acid and indomethacin with limited solid state miscibility can be solubilized as an amorphous solid phase by the addition of moderate levels of PVP.

Citric Acid↗
PubMed1998

Gut-derived mesenteric lymph but not portal blood increases endothelial cell permeability and promotes lung injury after hemorrhagic shock.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether gut-derived factors leading to organ injury and increased endothelial cell permeability would be present in the mesenteric lymph at higher levels than in the portal blood of rats subjected to hemorrhagic shock. This hypothesis was tested by examining the effect of portal blood plasma and mesenteric lymph on endothelial cell monolayers and the interruption of mesenteric lymph flow on shock-induced lung injury. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The absence of detectable bacteremia or endotoxemia in the portal blood of trauma victims casts doubt on the role of the gut in the generation of multiple organ failure. Nevertheless, previous experimental work has clearly documented the connection between shock and gut injury as well as the concept of gut-induced sepsis and distant organ failure. One explanation for this apparent paradox would be that gut-derived inflammatory factors are reaching the lung and systemic circulation via the gut lymphatics rather than the portal circulation. METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayers, grown in two-compartment systems, were exposed to media, sham-shock, or postshock portal blood plasma or lymph, and permeability to rhodamine (10K) was measured. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 90 minutes of sham or actual shock and shock plus lymphatic division (before and after shock). Lung permeability, pulmonary myeloperoxidase levels, alveolar apoptosis, and bronchoalveolar fluid protein content were used to quantitate lung injury. RESULTS: Postshock lymph increased endothelial cell monolayer permeability but not postshock plasma, sham-shock lymph/plasma, or medium. Lymphatic division before hemorrhagic shock prevented shock-induced increases in lung permeability to Evans blue dye and alveolar apoptosis and reduced pulmonary MPO levels. In contrast, division of the mesenteric lymphatics at the end of the shock period but before reperfusion ameliorated but failed to prevent increased lung permeability, alveolar apoptosis, and MPO accumulation. CONCLUSIONS: Gut barrier failure after hemorrhagic shock may be involved in the pathogenesis of shock-induced distant organ injury via gut-derived factors carried in the mesenteric lymph rather than the portal circulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Effect of acute-phase and heat-shock stress on apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2).

OBJECTIVES: a) To determine if the sequence of exposure of intestinal epithelial cells to heat-shock or acute-phase stimuli would affect whether cellular protection or injury would occur; and b) to determine if the effects of a thermally induced heat-shock response can be mimicked by sodium arsenite, a nonthermal inducer of the heat-shock response. DESIGN: In vitro controlled study. SETTING: Institutional laboratories. SUBJECTS: Caco-2 human intestinal cell line. INTERVENTIONS: Human intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2) were grown on 35-mm culture dishes, chamber slides, or in a bicameral culture system to confluence or until tight-junction integrity was established. The cells were examined for viability, apoptosis, and bacterial translocation after exposure to a series of insults. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Control Caco-2 cells (medium only) and cells exposed to arsenite or to LPS alone had an apoptotic cell rate of 5.7%, 7.9%, and 8.6%, respectively. However, Caco-2 cells exposed to the cytokines IL-1beta and IL-6 had a significantly higher rate of apoptosis (22.1%, p < .01 vs. other groups). Caco-2 cells exposed to arsenite followed by LPS had 6.7% apoptotic cells, while cells exposed to LPS followed by arsenite had a significantly greater number of apoptotic cells (19.7%, p < .05). In addition, cells exposed to cytokines followed by arsenite had a higher apoptotic rate than cells exposed to arsenite followed by cytokines (28.4% vs. 10.6%, p < .01). Similar results were seen when cell viability was quantitated. At 3 hrs after challenge with Escherichia coli, the cytokine-exposed Caco-2 monolayers had a significantly increased rate of bacterial passage across the Caco-2 monolayer than control monolayers (p < .05), while the Caco-2 monolayers exposed to arsenite followed by cytokines or arsenite alone had a decreased rate of bacterial passage (p < .05). Conversely, cells exposed to cytokines or LPS before arsenite had the highest number of bacteria crossing the monolayer (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that preinduction of a heat-shock response (arsenite) can protect against cytokine or LPS-induced apoptosis and enterocyte dysfunction, as manifested by the passage of E. coli across an intact enterocyte monolayer. In contrast, the induction of a heat-shock response after exposure to acute-phase response inducers (cytokines and LPS) may result in decreased enterocyte viability, increased apoptosis, and cellular dysfunction.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1998

The relationships among nitric oxide production, bacterial translocation, and intestinal injury after endotoxin challenge in vivo.

BACKGROUND: This study examines the hypothesis that there is a relationship among endotoxin-induced bacterial translocation (BT) and increased nitric oxide (NO) production and that inhibition of excessive NO production with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) is beneficial. METHODS: Rats received 0, 1, or 4 mg/kg endotoxin intraperitoneally, and 6 or 18 hours later, they were killed and BT, NO production (as reflected in nitrite/nitrate levels), and calcium-dependent nitric oxide synthase and calcium-independent nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activities were measured in tissues (ileum, liver, and mesenteric lymph nodes) and blood. In a second set of experiments, the animals received the NOS inhibitor L-NMMA (100 mg/kg) intravenously either 15 minutes before or 2 hours after endotoxin challenge (4 mg/kg) and the same parameters were measured. RESULTS: The incidence of BT was higher in rats receiving 4 mg/kg endotoxin (62.5%) than in the control group (0%, p < 0.05), and the 1 mg/kg endotoxin group had intermediate incidence (25%). The animals receiving 4 mg/kg endotoxin had higher tissue (mesenteric lymph nodes, liver) and blood nitrite/nitrate levels than the control or 1 mg/kg endotoxin groups. The increased NO production was mainly attributable to an elevated level of iNOS activity. The administration of L-NMMA before but not after endotoxin challenge reduced iNOS activity, NO production, and BT to control levels at 6 hours but not 18 hours after endotoxin administration. CONCLUSION: Endotoxin-induced mucosal injury and BT are associated with iNOS activity and increased NO production. Inhibition of iNOS activity with L-NMMA before treatment prevented endotoxin-induced ileal mucosal injury and BT.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Post-hemorrhagic shock mesenteric lymph is cytotoxic to endothelial cells and activates neutrophils.

The goal of these experiments was to test the hypothesis that after a nonlethal episode of hemorrhagic shock, factors carried in the mesenteric lymph would promote endothelial cell injury and activate neutrophils to a greater extent than portal vein plasma. Catheters were placed in the efferent lymphatic duct draining the mesenteric lymph node complex, after which male rats were subjected to sham or actual shock (30 mmHg for 90 min), and lymph was collected. Portal vein plasma was collected from the sham-shock and shocked rats at 6 h post-shock or sham-shock. When the effect of lymph or portal blood plasma was tested on endothelial cell (HUVEC) monolayer permeability, it was found that post-shock lymph, but not post-shock portal vein plasma, increased HUVEC permeability to both 10 kDa and 40 kDa permeability probes. Subsequent experiments documented that only post-shock lymph was cytotoxic to endothelial cells as manifest both by decreased trypan blue dye exclusion and the increased release of Chromium-51 from chromium-loaded endothelial cells. Furthermore post-shock lymph induced a greater increase in neutrophil superoxide formation than pre-shock lymph, pre-shock, or post-shock portal vein plasma. Lastly, neutrophil-mediated endothelial cell injury was potentiated by the presence of post-shock lymph, and the magnitude of HUVEC injury was greater in endothelial cells incubated with post-shock lymph plus neutrophils than in monolayers incubated with post-shock lymph or neutrophils alone. These results suggest that post-shock lymph is cytotoxic to endothelial cells and activates neutrophils. Since the lung is the first organ that is exposed to mesenteric lymph, lung injury after hemorrhagic shock may be mediated by factors contained in mesenteric lymph.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

The gene for 16S rRNA methyltransferase (ksgA) functions as a multicopy suppressor for a cold-sensitive mutant of era, an essential RAS-like GTP-binding protein in Escherichia coli.

Era, a Ras-like GTP-binding protein in Escherichia coli, has been shown to be essential for growth. However, its cellular functions still remain elusive. In this study, a genetic screening of an E. coli genomic library was performed to identify those genes which can restore the growth ability of a cold-sensitive mutant, Era(Cs) (E200K), at a restrictive temperature when expressed in a multicopy plasmid. Among eight suppressors isolated, six were located at 1 min of the E. coli genomic map, and the gene responsible for the suppression of Era(Cs) (E200K) was identified as the ksgA gene for 16S rRNA transmethylase, whose mutation causes a phenotype of resistance to kasugamycin, a translation initiation inhibitor. This is the first demonstration of suppression of impaired function of Era by overproduction of a functional enzyme. A possible mechanism of the suppression of the Era cold-sensitive phenotype by KsgA overproduction is discussed.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed1998

Basal extracellular signal-regulated kinase activity modulates cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions.

Suppression of the basal extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity in PC12 cells markedly altered their phenotype. Wild-type cells grew in a dissociated pattern adherent to the substrate. The stable expression of an ERK inhibitory mutant resulted in the formation of calcium-dependent aggregates which were less adherent to the substrate. Concomitantly, the cells reorganized their actin cytoskeleton and increased their expression of several adherens junction proteins, particularly cadherin. Metabolic labeling demonstrated an increased synthesis of cadherin and beta-catenin in these cells. Nontransfected PC12 cells and a ras-transformed MDCK cell line also formed aggregates and increased their expression of adherens junction proteins following treatment with the selective MEK inhibitor PD98059. A peptide containing the HAV cadherin recognition sequence attenuated the aggregation. These studies suggest that in PC12 and epithelial cells, ERKs are pivotally positioned to enhance substrate interactions when active or to release homotypic interactions when suppressed.

Actins↗
PubMed1998

A lung computed tomographic assessment of positive end-expiratory pressure-induced lung overdistension.

The aim of this study was to assess positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)-induced lung overdistension and alveolar recruitment in six patients with acute lung injury (ALI) using a computed tomographic (CT) scan method. Lung overdistension was first determined in six healthy volunteers in whom CT sections were obtained at FRC and at TLC with a positive airway pressure of 30 cm H2O. In patients, lung volumes were quantified by the analysis of the frequency distribution of CT numbers on the entire lung at zero end-expiratory pressure (ZEEP) and PEEP. In healthy volunteers at FRC, the distribution of the density histograms was monophasic with a peak at -791 +/- 12 Hounsfield units (HU). The lowest CT number observed was -912 HU. At TLC, lung volume increased by 79 +/- 35% and the peak CT number decreased to -886 +/- 26 HU. More than 70% of the increase in lung volume was located below -900 HU, suggesting that this value can be considered as the threshold separating normal aeration from overdistension. In patients with ALI, at ZEEP the distribution of density histograms was either monophasic (n = 3) or biphasic (n = 3). The mean CT number was -319 +/- 34 HU. At PEEP 13 +/- 3 cm H2O, lung volume increased by 47 +/- 19% whereas mean CT number decreased to -538 +/- 171 HU. PEEP induced a mean alveolar recruitment of 320 +/- 160 ml and a mean lung overdistension of 238 +/- 320 ml. In conclusion, overdistended lung parenchyma of healthy volunteers is characterized by a CT number below -900 HU. This threshold can be used in patients with ALI for differentiating PEEP-induced alveolar recruitment from lung overdistension.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Intravenous almitrine combined with inhaled nitric oxide for acute respiratory distress syndrome. The NO Almitrine Study Group.

Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO), a selective pulmonary vasodilator and intravenously administered almitrine, a selective pulmonary vasoconstrictor, have been shown to increase PaO2 in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This prospective study was undertaken to assess the cardiopulmonary effects of combining both drugs. In 48 consecutive patients with early ARDS, cardiorespiratory parameters were measured at control, after iNO 5 ppm, after almitrine 4 micrograms. kg-1. min-1, and after the combination of both drugs. In 30 patients, dose response to 2, 4, and 16 micrograms. kg-1. min-1 of almitrine with and without NO was determined. Almitrine and lactate plasma concentrations were measured in 17 patients. Using pure O2, PaO2 increased by 75 +/- 8 mm Hg after iNO, by 101 +/- 12 mm Hg after almitrine 4 micrograms. kg-1. min-1, and by 175 +/- 18 mm Hg after almitrine combined with iNO (p < 0.001). In 63% of the patients, PaO2 increased by more than 100% with the combination of both drugs. Mean pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa) increased by 1.4 +/- 0.2 mm Hg with almitrine 4 micrograms/kg/ min (p < 0.001) and decreased by 3.4 +/- 0.4 mm Hg with iNO and by 1.5 +/- 0.3 mm Hg with the combination (p < 0.001). The maximum increase in PaO2 was obtained at almitrine concentrations <= 4 micrograms. kg-1. min-1, whereas almitrine increased Ppa dose-dependently. Almitrine plasma concentrations also increased dose-dependently and returned to values close to zero after 12 h. In many patients with early ARDS, the combination of iNO 5 ppm and almitrine 4 micrograms. kg-1. min-1 dramatically increases PaO2 without apparent deleterious effect allowing a rapid reduction in inspired fraction of O2. The long-term consequences of this immediate beneficial effect remain to be determined.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1998

The aromatase excess syndrome is associated with feminization of both sexes and autosomal dominant transmission of aberrant P450 aromatase gene transcription.

Increased extraglandular aromatization has been reported as the cause of familial gynecomastia. We studied a kindred with aromatase excess inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, in which affected males had heterosexual precocity and/or gynecomastia, and affected females had isosexual precocity and/or macromastia. The propositus was a 9-yr-old boy with gynecomastia. His 7.5-yr-old sister had precocious puberty, and their father and paternal grandmother had peripubertal gynecomastia and macromastia, respectively. Serum concentrations of gonadal and adrenal steroid hormones were determined before and after the administration of corticotropin and/or hCG. Aromatase activity was determined by [3H]delta4-androstenedione to [3H]estrone conversion by cultured skin fibroblasts and/or Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphocytes and was detected by immunohistochemistry and/or Western analysis. Linkage was examined with a polymorphism of the aromatase (P450arom) gene. The P450arom messenger ribonucleic acid was analyzed by rapid amplification of complementary DNA (cDNA) ends, ribonuclease protection assay, and RT-PCR. hCG testing demonstrated a high rate of conversion of delta4-androstenedione to estrone and of testosterone to estradiol in the propositus and his father. Treatment of the propositus and his sister was initiated with an aromatase inhibitor (testolactone) and a GnRH analog, which successfully delayed skeletal and pubertal development in both children. Markedly increased aromatase activity was found in the patients' fibroblasts and Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphocytes. The P450arom polymorphism segregated with the disease in the family. A new 5'-splice variant was present in the patients' P450arom messenger ribonucleic acid, thus identifying yet another first exon of this gene, which appears to be aberrantly expressed in this family. In conclusion, a family with the aromatase excess syndrome is described, in which the condition was inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, led to feminizing manifestations in both sexes, and was associated with the aberrant utilization of a novel transcript of the P450arom gene.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Versatile epitope tagging vector for gene expression in mammalian cells.

We have constructed an epitope-tagging vector, pCMV-Tag1, for gene expression in mammalian cells. This vector, which allows for N-terminal, C-terminal and internal tagging of the gene product of interest with the FLAG and/or c-myc epitopes, enables researchers to rapidly and efficiently characterize gene products in vivo.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1998

[A prospective study on post-transfusion hepatitis G virus infection].

OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence of post-transfusion hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection in our country and the relationship between it and post-transfusion hepatitis B (HB) and C (HC). METHODS: Hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis Be antigen, antibodies against HBsAg, HB core antigen HBe and HC virus, HCV RNA and HGV RNA were detected for 138 patients with blood transfusion before and after ther surgical operations. RESULTS: There occurred 53 cases of post-transfusion hepatitis virus infection, 48 with HCV infection and two with HBV infection (including one of super-infection with HBV and HCV). HGV infection could be found with nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in seven cases, three of them co-infected with HCV all with elevated activity of serum alanine transaminase (ALT). But, ALT was kept normal in the patients with simple HGV infection. HGV RNA could be detected for one month to half a year. Residual donor's blood for five of the seven patients with post-transfusion HGV infection was available for examination, and HGV RNA was detected positive in at least one of the donor's blood for 3 cases. CONCLUSION: No clinical manifestation with viral hepatitis and no elevation in activity of serum ALT were found in blood donors and blood transfusion patients with infection of simple HGV, which did not conform to the view that HGV was an important hepatitis virus.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Clinical significance of serum anti-mycobacterium tuberculosis antibody in diagnosis of tuberculosis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the significance of measuring serum antilipoarabinomannan IgG (LAM-IgG), an anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis antibody, in diagnosis of tuberculosis. METHOD: Sensitivity and specificity of the antibody in diagnosis of tuberculosis were detected. Results of the antibody detection, sputum smear and PPD examination were compared, and the relationship between the level of the antibody and the situation of the disease was also observed. RESULT: The sensitivity of the antibody in diagnosis of tuberculosis was found to be 71.9%, while the specificity 91.9%. The consistent rates of the antibody with sputum smear and PPD test were 80.2% and 61.6% respectively. The level of the antibody was related with the situation of the disease. CONCLUSION: Detection of the antibody is helpful for diagnosing tuberculosis and can be used to evaluate the prognosis of the disease.

Adolescent↗