血清ADAMTS13、IL-18对急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死经皮冠状动脉介入治疗术后患者预后的预测价值

目的 探讨血清含1型血小板结合蛋白基序的去整合素样金属蛋白酶成员13(ADAMTS13)、IL-18对急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死(STEMI)经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)术后患者预后的预测价值.方法 213例STEMI患者,根据PCI术后1年是否发生主要不良心血管事件(MACE)分为MACE组(n=52)和非MACE组(n=161).采用酶联免疫吸附法测定血清ADAMTS13、IL-18,Spearman相关性分析Killip分级与血清ADAMTS13、IL-18水平的相关性,多因素Logistic回归分析STEMI患者PCI术后MACE发生的影响因素,受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析血清ADAMTS13、IL-18水平对STEMI患者PCI后MACE发生的预测价值.结果 MACE组发病至入院时间、支架长度长于非MACE组,Killip分级≥Ⅱ级比例、支架数目高于非MACE组(P均<0.05).Killip分级Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ级患者血清ADAMTS13水平依次降低,IL-18水平依次升高;Killip分级与ADAMTS13水平呈负相关,与IL-18水平呈正相关(rs分别为-0.740、0.797,P均<0.001).发病至入院时间、Killip分级≥Ⅱ级、IL-18水平为STEMI患者PCI术后MACE发生独立危险因素,ADAMTS13水平为独立保护因素(P均<0.05).ADAMTS13+IL-18预测STEMI患者PCI术后MACE发生的曲线下面积大于ADAMTS13、IL-18单独预测(P均<0.05).结论 血清ADAMTS13水平降低和IL-18水平升高与STEMI患者心功能降低和MACE发生有关,二者联合能提升PCI术后MACE发生预测价值.     

影响急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死PCI术后在院期间心血管事件的因素分析

目的分析影响急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死(STEMI)经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)术后在院期间主要心血管不良事件(MACE)的因素。方法回顾性分析我院明确诊断为STEMI的行直接PCI术的患者129例,且所有患者术后均于我院心内科住院接受规范治疗,根据患者在院治疗期间发生MACE情况进行分组,其中27例患者发生MACE为MACE组,余下102例患者为非MACE组,从住院电子病历系统提取患者临床特征及相关实验室指标。比较两组患者临床资料,评价临床参数与在院期间MACE的关系。结果与非MACE组比较,MACE组患者年龄更大、胸痛持续时间更长、心肌肌钙蛋白I(c Tn I)及血小板平均体积(MPV)水平更高,同时胸痛持续时间、c Tn I和MPV是预测STEMI患者PCI术后在院期间心血管事件的指标,其曲线下面积(AUC)(95%CI)分别为0. 81 (0. 73～0. 89)、0. 83(0. 76～0. 90)和0. 79(0. 69～0. 89),同时,二元Logistic回归分析发现,胸痛持续时间 6. 5小时、c Tn I 2. 36ng/m L以及MPV11. 15fl与MACE有关,OR(95%CI)分别为6. 39(1. 43～28. 49)、10. 44(3. 06～32. 49)和8. 80(2. 54～24. 38)。结论 MPV、c Tn I及胸痛持续时间可以作为预测STEMI患者PCI术后在院期间发生MACE的指标,同时胸痛持续时间6. 5小时、c Tn I2. 36ng/m L以及MPV11. 15fl是发生MACE的独立危险因素。     

C反应蛋白与高密度脂蛋白胆固醇比值、N末端脑钠肽前体与射血分数比值对STEMI患者PCI术后院内MACE的预测价值研究

目的 探讨外周血C反应蛋白与高密度脂蛋白胆固醇比值(CHR)、N末端脑钠肽前体与射血分数比值(NER)与首次ST段抬高心肌梗死(STEMI)患者冠状动脉病变严重程度的关系及对急诊经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)术后院内主要不良心血管事件(MACE)的预测价值。方法 回顾性纳入2019年8月—2021年2月在兰州大学第一医院心内科因首次发生STEMI住院的610例患者,根据PCI术后院内有无发生MACE分为MACE组和非MACE组。比较两组患者临床数据及CHR、NER的差异,采用多元线性回归分析CHR和NER与冠状动脉病变Gensini评分的关系。采用logistic回归模型分析STEMI患者PCI术后住院期间发生MACE的影响因素,并绘制ROC曲线评估CHR、NER及其二者联合对院内发生MACE的预测价值。结果 MACE组的CHR、NER水平均高于非MACE组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。CHR、NER和冠状动脉多支病变与冠状动脉病变Gensini评分之间具有线性关系(P<0.001)。CHR(OR=1.021,95%CI 1.014～1.029)、NER(OR=1....     

微小RNA-150对急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者经皮冠状动脉介入术后6月内主要不良心血管事件的预测价值

目的探究微小RNA-150(miR-150)对急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死(STEMI)患者行经皮冠状动脉介入术(PCI)后主要不良心血管事件(MACE)的预测价值。方法选取我院2016年1月至2019年1月收治的130例确诊为STEMI并行急诊PCI治疗患者,依照患者PCI术后6月是否发生MACE分为MACE组(n=36)和非MACE组(n=94)。比较2组患者miR-150表达水平及临床一般资料。Logistic回归分析急性STEMI患者PCI术后6月发生MACE的危险因素。Spearman相关性分析miR-150与各危险因素的相关性。受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)分析miR-150对急性STEMI患者PCI术后6月内MACE的预测价值。结果 2组患者在性别、年龄、合并症(糖尿病、高血压、冠心病、高脂血症)、梗死部位、术后用药、急诊PCI时间、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、总胆固醇、甘油三酯、血红蛋白比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。MACE组心率(HR)、收缩压、舒张压、血小板、C反应蛋白(CRP)、肌酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB)、中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值(NLR)显著高于非MACE组,左心室射血分数(LVEF)、miR-150水平显著低于非MACE组,差异具有统计学意义(P=0.000)。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,年龄、高血压史、HR、LVEF、CRP、CK-MB、NLR、miR-150均为急性STEMI患者PCI术后6月发生MACE的独立危险因素。相关性分析结果显示,miR-150与高血压史、HR、CRP、CK-MB、NLR水平呈明显负相关性,与年龄、LVEF呈明显正相关性(P=0.000)。ROC曲线表明,miR-150诊断急性STEMI患者PCI术后6月内发生MACE的切点为0.23,曲线下面积为0.905(95%CI 0.871～0.939)。结论低水平miR-150为急性STEMI患者PCI术后6月内发生MACE的独立危险因素,检测miR-150水平可帮助评估急性STEMI患者预后。     

尿酸对急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死介入治疗患者远期预后的影响

目的探讨尿酸对急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死(STEMI)行PCI患者远期预后的影响。方法选择行冠状动脉造影和PCI术的STEMI患者150例,根据PCI术后是否发生主要不良心血管事件(MACE)分为非MACE组100例和MACE组50例。比较2组一般临床资料、生化指标及冠状动脉病变情况,用ROC曲线预测PCI术后MACE发生风险。结果 MACE组Gensini积分及血清尿酸水平明显高于非MACE组[(68.13±18.20)分vs (49.20±15.43)分,(389.48±88.81)μmol/L vs (320.00±61.00)μmol/L,P=0.000]。血清尿酸和Gensini积分ROC曲线下面积分别为0.785(95%CI:0.694～0.877)和0.789(95%CI:0.703～0.876)。当血清尿酸为378.5μmol/L时,敏感性为66.7%,特异性为82.7%。Pearson相关性分析显示,血清尿酸水平与Gensini积分呈正相关(r=0.840,P0.01)。logistic回归分析显示,血清尿酸、Gensini积分是PCI术后MACE的独立危险因素(P0.05)。结论根据患者血清尿酸和Gensini积分水平可评估冠状动脉病变程度和PCI术后预后情况。     

新型炎症指标与急性心肌梗死患者介入术后不良预后关系的研究

目的：本研究旨在评估新型炎症指标全身免疫炎症指数(systemic immuneinflammation index,SII)对急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死（ST segment elevation myocardial infarction,STEMI)患者经皮冠状动脉介入（percutaneous coronary intervention,PCI）术后不良预后的预测价值。方法：选取2019年1月至2021年12月，就诊于许昌市中心医院接受PCI的STEMI患者，依据患者PCI术后是否发生主要不良心血管事件（major adverse cardiac events,MACE），分为有MACE组和无MACE组，采用Cox比例风险回归模型分析SII与STEMI患者PCI术后发生MACE的相关性，绘制ROC曲线评估SII对主要终点事件的预测价值。结果：本研究符合标准的患者1 465例，其中失访患者78例，最终共有1 387例接受PCI的STEMI患者被纳入本研究中，其中MACE组97例，非MACE组1 290例。平均随访时间13.2个月后，共97例（7.0%）发生了主要终点事件。与非MACE...     

血清CD147水平对经皮冠状动脉介入术干预非梗死相关动脉预后评估的价值

目的探讨血清CD147水平对经皮冠状动脉介入术(PCI)干预非梗死相关动脉(non-IRA)预后评估的价值。方法选取本院2017年3月—2019年3月收治的103例合并多支血管病变的ST段抬高型心肌梗死(STEMI)患者103例,患者均在PCI成功开通IRA后的3～7天行non-IRA PCI治疗。根据术后6个月患者是否发生主要不良心血管事件(MACE)分为两组:非MACE组75例,MACE组28例。依据Killip心功能分级标准进行分级;检查超声心动图并记录左心室射血分数(LVEF);采用Judkins法行冠状动脉造影检查,并记录血管狭窄情况。比较两组一般资料、血清生物化学指标差异;绘制ROC曲线,评估血清CD147水平对STEMI患者行多支血管PCI后发生MACE的诊断价值;采用COX回归模型分析STEMI患者行多支血管PCI后发生MACE的危险因素。结果与非MACE组相比,MACE组高脂血症比例、KillipⅡ～Ⅲ级比例、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇和CD147水平均较高(P0.05),LVEF较低(P0.05)。ROC结果显示,血清CD147诊断STEMI患者行多支血管PCI后发生MACE的曲线下面积为0.834,截断值为625.58 ng/L,对应的灵敏度、特异度分别为78.60%、81.30%,约登指数为0.599。COX回归模型结果显示,KillipⅡ～Ⅲ级、LVEF45%、高水平CD147均是STEMI患者行多支血管PCI后发生MACE的独立危险因素(P0.05)。结论 CD147与STEMI患者行多支血管PCI预后密切相关,对STEMI患者PCI后发生MACE有一定诊断价值,可为行多支血管PCI的STEMI患者的预后评估提供参考依据。     

GRACE评分联合WMR对STEMI患者急诊PCI术后发生院内MACE的预测价值

［摘要］　目的　探讨全球急性冠状动脉事件注册（GRACE）评分联合白细胞（WBC）计数与平均血小板体积比（WMR）对急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死（STEMI）患者急诊经皮冠状动脉介入治疗（PCI）术后发生院内主要不良心血管事件（MACE）的预测价值。方法　回顾性分析2021年1月至2022年3月于襄阳市中心医院接受急诊PCI治疗的349例STEMI患者临床资料。根据院内MACE发生情况,将患者分为MACE组(n=47)和非MACE组(n=302)。比较不同分组患者的临床资料,采用Cox回归分析STEMI患者PCI术后发生院内MACE的危险因素,采用ROC曲线分析评估GRACE评分联合WMR对STEMI患者PCI术后发生院内MACE的预测价值。结果　与非MACE组相比,MACE组年龄较大,收缩压、舒张压和左心室射血分数（LVEF）较低;心率、Killip分级≥Ⅱ的比率、GRACE评分、WBC、WMR、中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值（NLR）、空腹血糖（FPG）、肌酐（Cr）、丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）和肌酸激酶MB同工酶（CK-MB）较高,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。多因素Cox回归分析结果显示,较高的GRACE评分和WMR是促进STEMI患者发生院内MACE的独立危险因素（P<0.05）。ROC曲线分析结果显示,GRACE评分和WMR均能有效预测STEMI患者PCI术后发生院内MACE（P<0.05）,且两者联合的预测效能更优［AUC(95%CI)=0.824(0.750～0.897),P<0.001］,灵敏度和特异度分别为74.50%、80.50%。结论　GRACE评分联合WMR对STEMI患者PCI术后发生院内MACE具有良好的预测价值,有助于临床工作者进行更精准的风险分层和治疗决策制定。     

ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者lncRNA-ZFAS1/Caspase-3轴的变化及其与急诊PCI预后的关系

目的研究ST段抬高型心肌梗死(STEMI)患者lncRNA-ZFAS1/Caspase-3轴的变化及其与急诊经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)预后的关系。方法选择接受急诊PCI的STEMI患者作为STEMI组,同期体检的健康志愿者作为对照组,检测外周血lncRNA-ZFAS1的表达水平及血清Caspase-3含量,随访STEMI患者PCI术后6个月发生主要不良心血管事件(MACE)的情况,采用Kaplan-Meier曲线分析STEMI组lncRNA-ZFAS1不同表达水平患者MACE的差异,采用ROC曲线分析lncRNA-ZFAS1对STEMI患者MACE的预测价值,采用Logistic回归模型分析STEMI患者MACE的影响因素。结果 STEMI患者外周血lncRNA-ZFAS1的表达水平及血清Caspase-3含量均高于对照组(P0.05),且lncRNA-ZFAS1表达水平与血清Caspase-3含量具有正相关关系;STEMI组高lncRNA-ZFAS1表达患者的MACE累积发生率高于低lncRNA-ZFAS1表达患者;lncRNA-ZFAS1表达对STEMI患者MACE具有预测价值;cTnI峰值、多支病变、发病至PCI时间、Gensini积分、lncRNA-ZFAS1、Caspase-3是STEMI患者发生MACE的影响因素。结论 STEMI患者lncRNA-ZFAS1/Caspase-3轴发生显著改变,lncRNA-ZFAS1表达水平和凋亡分子Caspase-3含量增加,且与PCI术后发生MACE有关。     

单核细胞/高密度脂蛋白胆固醇比值与急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者短期预后的相关性研究

目的探讨单核细胞/高密度脂蛋白胆固醇比值(MHR)对急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死(STEMI)患者短期预后的预测价值。方法选取2012年1月~2017年6月于上海市徐汇区大华医院就诊并接受急诊经皮冠状动脉治疗的STEMI患者367例,根据患者住院期间是否发生主要不良心脏事件(MACE)将其分为MACE组(n=64)和非MACE组(n=303)。比较两组患者的临床资料,并根据血常规和生化检测结果计算MHR值。结果与非MACE组相比,MACE组患者的MHR水平显著升高[(1.07±0.42)×109 vs.(0.79±0.33)×109],差异具有统计学意义(P0.01)。随着MHR水平的升高,STEMI患者MACE发生率也逐渐增加(P0.01)。多因素Logistic回归分析表明,MHR是STEMI患者发生院内MACE的独立预测因素(OR=2.14,95%CI:1.27~3.62;P0.01)。ROC曲线分析提示,MHR预测院内MACE发生的最佳截点为0.89×109,其敏感性为70.3%,特异性为81.4%。结论 STEMI患者的MHR水平与其院内MACE的发生密切相关,检测MHR可能有助于STEMI早期风险的评估。     

Three layer functional model and energy exchange concept of aging process

Relying on a certain degree of abstraction, we can propose that no particular distinction exists between animate or living matter and inanimate matter. While focusing attention on some specifics, the dividing line between the two can be drawn. The most apparent distinction is in the level of structural and functional organization with the dissimilar streams of ‘energy flow’ between the observed entity and the surrounding environment. In essence, living matter is created from inanimate matter which is organized to contain internal intense energy processes and maintain lower intensity energy exchange processes with the environment. Taking internal and external energy processes into account, we contend in this paper that living matter can be referred to as matter of dissipative structure, with this structure assumed to be a common quality of all living creatures and living matter in general. Interruption of internal energy conversion processes and terminating the controlled energy exchange with the environment leads to degeneration of dissipative structure and reduction of the same to inanimate matter, (gas, liquid and/or solid inanimate substances), and ultimately what can be called ‘death.’ This concept of what we call dissipative nature can be extended from living organisms to social groups of animals, to mankind. An analogy based on the organization of matter provides a basis for a functional model of living entities. The models relies on the parallels among the three central structures of any cell (nucleus, cytoplasm and outer membrane) and the human body (central organs, body fluids along with the connective tissues, and external skin integument). This three-part structural organization may be observed almost universally in nature. It can be observed from the atomic structure to the planetary and intergalactic organizations. This similarity is corroborated by the membrane theory applied to living organisms. According to the energy nature of living matter and the proposed functional model, the decreased integrity of a human body's external envelope membrane is a first cause of the structural degradation and aging of the entire organism. The aging process than progresses externally to internally, as in single cell organisms, suggesting that much of the efforts towards the restoration and maintenance of the mechanisms responsible for structural development should be focused accordingly, on the membrane, i.e., the skin. Numerous reports indicate that all parts of the human body, like: bones, blood with blood vessels, muscles, skin, and so on, have some ability for restoration. Therefore, actual revival of not only aging tissue of the human body's membrane, but the entire human body enclosed within, with all internal organs, might be expected. We assess several aging theories within the context of our model and provide suggestions on how to activate the body's own anti-aging mechanisms and increase longevity. This paper presents some analogies and some distinctions that exist between the living dissipative structure matter and inanimate matter, discusses the aging process and proposes certain aging reversal solutions.     

Unusual responses of nocturnal pineal melatonin synthesis and secretion to swimming: Attempts to define mechanisms

Abstract: The effect of swimming at night on rat pineal melatonin synthesis was compared with that of light exposure at night. Rats were forced to swim at 0030 hr (lights out at 2000 hr) and sacrificed by decapitation 15 and 30 min later, immediately after swimming. Other groups of animals were exposed to white light (650μW/cm²) for 15 and 30 min at same time. Swimming caused a rapid and highly significant drop in the melatonin content in the pineal gland; however, the activity of N-acetyltransferase (NAT), the supposed rate limiting enzyme in the melatonin production, was not changed. Despite the drop in pineal melatonin levels, serum concentrations of the indole remained elevated in the rats that swam. In contrast, melatonin levels in the pineal and serum of light exposed rats fell precipitously, accompanied by a significant suppression of NAT activity. Since we anticipated that the strenuous exercise associated with swimming may induce release of artrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) from the heart, which in turn could cause the release of pineal melatonin, in a second study we injected physiological saline intravenously to stretch the cardiac muscle and release ANP. Three milliliters of normal saline was injected during the day into the jugular vein of anesthetized rats that were pretreated with isoproterenol to stimulate pineal melatonin production. Animals were killed 15 min after the saline injection, and pineal NAT activity and pineal melatonin levels were measured. The saline injections caused no alteration in the elevated levels of either NAT or melatonin. These data suggest that the disparity in pineal NAT activity (which was high) and pineal melatonin (which was low), in animals swum at night, may not be caused by ANP which is released during strenuous exercise such as swimming.     

Melatonin and photoperiodic time measurement: Seasonal breeding in the sheep

Abstract: Well-established circadian physiology supports the view that photoperiodic time measurement utilizes the coincidence between the presence of light and a photosensitive phase of a 'biological clock' to alter reproductive status—the so-called external coincidence model of seasonal breeding. In this review, we examine the mechanism whereby photoperiod interacts with presumed suprachiasmatic nuclei activity to allow endogenous melatonin to normally synchronize reproductive activity to the optimal time of year. The Romney Marsh sheep is particularly explored as an experimental model. It is suggested that the on/off activity of seasonal reproduction may be a robust mechanism able to be predictably manipulated by the judicious use of the light/dark cycle and exogenous melatonin, but firmly based on circadian principles.     

Serological survey of HIV and syphilis in pregnant women in Madagascar

Objectives Peripartal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, leads to severe consequences for newborns. Preventive measures require awareness of the maternal infection. Although HIV and syphilis testing in Madagascar could be theoretically carried out within the framework of the national pregnancy follow‐up scheme, the required test kits are rarely available at peripheral health centres. In this study, we screened blood samples of pregnant Madagascan women for HIV and syphilis seroprevalence to estimate the demand for systemic screening in pregnancy. Methods Retrospective anonymous serological analysis for HIV and syphilis was performed in plasma samples from 1232 pregnant women that were taken between May and July 2010 in Ambositra, Ifanadiana, Manakara, Mananjary, Moramanga and Tsiroanomandidy (Madagascar) during pregnancy follow‐up. Screening was based on Treponema pallidum haemagglutination tests for syphilis and rapid tests for HIV, with confirmation of positive screening results on line assays. Results Out of 1232 pregnant women, none were seropositive for HIV and 37 (3%) were seropositive for Treponema pallidum. Conclusions Our findings are in line with previous studies that describe considerable syphilis prevalence in the rural Madagascan population. The results suggest a need for screening to prevent peripartal Treponema pallidum transmission, while HIV is still rare. If they are known, Treponema pallidum infections can be easily, safely and inexpensively treated even in pregnancy to reduce the risk of transmission.     

Variabilité des concentrations plasmatiques de l’angiotensinogène et risque d’hypertension artérielle chez le rat transgénique

Aim

Genetic polymorphisms of the human angiotensinogen gene are frequent and may induce up to 30% increase of plasma angiotensinogen concentrations with a blood pressure increase of up to 5 mmHg. Their role for the pathogenesis of human arterial hypertension remains unclear. High plasma angiotensinogen levels could increase the sensitivity to other blood pressure stressors.

Methods

Male transgenic rats with a 9-fold increase of plasma angiotensinogen concentrations and male non-transgenic rats aged 10 weeks were treated or not with NG-Nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester for 3 weeks in their drinking water (n = 3/group). Systolic blood pressure and body weight were measured at baseline and at the end of the study when left ventricular weight and ventricular expression of angiotensin I-converting enzyme and procollagen Iα1 were determined (polymerase chain reaction).

Results

At baseline, transgenic rats had +18 mmHg higher bood pressure and –8% lower body weight compared to non-transgenic rats (P < 0.05) without significant changes for the vehicle groups throughout the study (P > 0.05). NG-Nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester increased blood pressure, left ventricular weight and left ventricular weight indexed for body weight by +41%, +17.6% and +18.6% (P < 0.05) in transgenic and +25%, +5.3% and +6.7% (P > 0.05) in non-transgenic rats compared to untreated animals, respectively. Cardiac gene expression showed no differences between groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Increased plasma angiotensinogen levels may sensitize to additional blood pressure stressors. Our preliminary results point towards an independent role of angiotensinogen in the pathogenesis of human hypertension and associated end-organ damage.     

Morphological and immunocytochemical heterogeneity of cultured pinealocytes from one-week-and two-month-old rats: Planimetric and densitometric investigations

Abstract: In vitro preparations of rat pinealocytes are widely used for biochemical analyses of signal transduction processes. This paper deals with morphological and immunocytochemical features of such preparations. Special attention was paid to the problems of whether pinealocytes represent a heterogeneous cell population and how such heterogeneity may develop during ontogeny. The investigations were performed with cells which were obtained from the pineal organ of one-week-and two-month-old rats, attached to synthetic peptide-coated coverslips or tissue culture chamber slides, and maintained under in vitro conditions overnight. The attached cells were then fixed with paraformaldehyde. These preparations yielded monolayers of spherical cells of different sizes; most cells were isolated, but some of them were aggregated and formed small clusters. On the average, the cells from the one-week-old animals were smaller than the cells from the two-month-old animals. Immunocytochemical demonstration of S-antigen, a pinealocyte-specific marker, showed that the majority of the cells from two-month-old animals were intensely or moderately labelled. Pinealocytes from one-week-old animals were less S-antigen immunoreactive. Only very few cells (less than 1% displayed glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunoreactivity. Planimetric investigations of the cell size and semiquantitative densitometric investigations of the intensity of the S-antigen immunoreaction revealed that (i) pinealocytes kept in vitro form a heterogeneous cell population, and that (ii) this heterogeneity increases during postnatal development from one-week-old to two-month-old animals. Two groups of pinealocytes can be distinguished based on their developmental fate: pinealocytes of one group grow dramatically, but show only a moderate increase in S-antigen immunoreactivity, and pinealocytes of the other group retain their size, but display a distinct increment in S-antigen immunoreacti vitv.     

MUTATION FREQUENCY IN NURSES AND PHARMACISTS WORKING WITH CYTOTOXIC DRUGS

Individuals occupationally exposed to cytotoxic drugs may be at risk owing to the effects of these agents on DNA. As an index of DNA damage, in vivo mutations were measured in lymphocytes from 24 oncology nurses or pharmacists and 24 matched controls. Mutation frequency was significantly increased in exposed individuals and appeared to be related to duration of exposure. However, the overall magnitude of the increase was small and its biological significance remains to be determined.