Dopaminergic transmission in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus to produce acupuncture analgesia in correlation with the pituitary gland

Acupuncture analgesia (AA) caused by low frequency stimulation of the acupuncture point (AP) was abolished by hypophysectomy and adrenalectomy. Termination of the AA producing pathway from the AP to the pituitary gland was in the medial hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (M-HARN). The origin of the descending pain inhibitory system associated with AA was in the posterior HARN (P-HARN). AA in the hypophysectomized rats, and enhanced neuronal activity in the P-HARN that were abolished during acupuncture stimulation, were both restored by intraperitoneal microinjection of 0.5 mg/kg morphine or 0.1 micrograms beta-endorphin into the P-HARN during acupuncture stimulation. Of the analgesia produced by dopamine or beta-endorphin injected into the P-HARN, that caused by beta-endorphin disappeared after denervation of the M-HARN. The P-HARN neurons that responded to acupuncture stimulation also responded to iontophoretic dopamine, but not to iontophoretic morphine nor ultramicroinjected beta-endorphin. The transmission between the M-HARN and P-HARN may be dopaminergic, and beta-endorphin might presynaptically modulate this transmission. Reduction of sodium ions may have been the reason for abolition of AA after adrenalectomy.     

28 mm Metasul™ bearings in primary total hip arthroplasty

Assessment of possible low-wear with some former metal-on-metal (MoM) total hip arthroplasties (THA) led to the reintroduction of metallic bearings in the late 80’s. The author reports on two studies of Metasul-28 mm cementless THA. In the first one in a general population, impingement has been the main cause of osteolysis and Co level survey has been a good indicator of Metasul bearing behaviour. In the second study, in a group of 83 less than 50-year-old and active patients, Metasul bearings showed good wear resistance at 7.2 years mean follow-up. In both studies, no general toxic effect could have been detected thus far. According to the current knowledge, it is always reasonable to expect low-wear and better THA longevity with use of MoM bearings under the following conditions: 1) use of a CoCr alloy with high carbide concentration; 2) reduce impingement risk (head without sleeve, slimmer as possible neck, perfectly adapted Morse cone from the same manufacturer, well — oriented components); and 3) prefer cementless acetabular fixation.     

黄芪对SHR心肌SERCA表达及血管平滑肌钙离子水平影响的初步探讨

目的:探讨黄芪注射液对SHR心肌SERCA的表达及血管平滑肌钙离子含量的影响.方法:将19只自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)与16只Wistar-kyoto大鼠(WKY)随机各分为空白对照组、低黄芪剂量组、中黄芪剂量组、高黄芪剂量组四组,分别每天腹腔注射0.9ml生理盐水和0.9ml、1.2ml、1.8ml的黄芪注射液共8周,再测量大鼠心肌中SERCA的表达和血管平滑肌钙离子含量.结果:SHR生理盐水组心肌SERCA在蛋白水平的表达,较WKY生理盐水组明是下降;SHR大剂量黄芪组心肌SERCA在蛋白水平的表达,较SHR生理盐水组明显升高.SHR生理盐水组血管平滑肌钙离子水平明显高于WKY组:SHR大剂量黄芪组血管平滑肌钙离子水平较SHR生理盐水组明显降低.结论:大剂量黄芪注射液能显著增加SHR心肌SERCA在蛋白水平的表达,能明显的减少SHR血管平滑肌钙离子的水平.     

旁路活化补体降低PMN吞杀绿脓杆菌力的实验研究

为证明论题,本文做了3项实验:(1)人血PMN培养单层加上酵母多糖活化人血清(ZAHS)。PMN的超氧离子(O_2~-)、特殊颗粒(SG)与胞内杀菌力(ICBA)明显平行下降,于6 h最低,0.05 ml的作用最强。(2)经小鼠尾静脉注射0.5ml ZAHS/鼠,6 h后活杀。肺和血内PMN的上述指标均明显降低;肺内病变明显:急性间质炎,灶性水肿出血和萎陷,肺血屏障亚微结构损伤。(3)经抗人C_3、C_5血清(AHC_(3.5)S)体外中和的ZAHS,在体内外实验中均失去其有害作用。提示:ZAHS的有害作用与C_3、C_5碎片有关,在剂量适中且吞菌前作用时间较长的条件下方显极效。有害作用的可能机制:杀菌且能致炎的O_2~-与SG大多已于吞菌前排放在胞外,所以PMN的ICBA下降;累积于组织内的则损害PMN自身及其邻近的肺血屏障。这便于MOF与感染发生。     

Cobalt-dependent potentiation of net inward current density in Helix aspersa neurons.

A low concentration of transition metal ions Co2+ and Ni2+ increases the inward current density in neurons from the land snail Helix aspersa. The currents were measured using a single electrode voltage-clamp/internal perfusion method under conditions in which the external Na+ was replaced by Tris+, the predominant external current carrying cation was Ca2+, and the internal perfusate contained 120 mM Cs+/0 K+; 30 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA) was added externally to block K+ current. In the presence of Co2+ (3 mM) or Ni2+ (0.5 mM) inward Ca2+ currents were stimulated normally by voltage-dependent activation of Ca2+ channels. There was a 5-10% decrease in the rate of rise of the inward current. The principal effect of Co2+ and Ni2+ in increasing the current density seems to be a decrease in the rate at which the inward currents decline during a depolarizing voltage pulse. The results may be due to a decrease in a voltage-dependent or Ca(2+)-dependent outward current and/or an inhibition of Ca2+ channel inactivation. Outward current under these conditions (zero internal K+) was significant and most likely due to Cs+ efflux through the voltage-activated or Ca(2+)-activated nonspecific cation channels. Co2+ is an extremely effective blocker of this outward current. These results are not an artifact of internal perfusion or the special ionic conditions. Intracellular recording of unperfused neurons in normal Helix Ringer's solution showed that the Ca(2+)-dependent action potential duration was increased significantly by low concentrations of Co2+. This result is consistant with the Co(2+)-dependent increase in inward (depolarizing) current seen in voltage-clamp experiments.     

妊高征合并胎儿宫内发育迟缓者胎盘病理改变与血管细胞粘附分子-1表达水平的关系

目的探讨妊高征(PIH)合并胎儿宫内发育迟缓(IUGR)时胎盘病理改变与胎盘组织中血管细胞粘附分子-1(VCAM-1)表达水平变化的关系。方法选取本院2001年1~9月分娩的妊高征合并IUGR患者(实验组)胎盘30例、单纯IUGR(IUGR组)28例、单纯PIH(PIH组)25例、正常妊娠(正常妊娠组)30例,常规HE染色及PAS染色,观察胎盘形态学变化。利用免疫组化方法对胎盘组织切片染色,观察子宫蜕膜层中螺旋动脉、绒毛组织滋养细胞及绒毛中毛细血管的VCAM-1表达。结果实验组中22例(73.33%)胎盘有明显病理改变,有病理改变的胎盘蜕膜组织内血管内皮细胞及胎盘绒毛毛细血管内皮VCAM-1的表达显著高于无病理改变者(P<0.001);而绒毛上皮组织滋养层细胞VCAM-1的表达则显著低于无病理改变者(P=0.019)。结论妊高征合并IUGR时胎盘发生了明显的病理改变,这种病理改变与胎盘中VCAM-1的异常表达密切相关。     

Efficacy and functionality of silver-coated textiles in patients with atopic eczema

BACKGROUND: Microbial skin colonization with Staphylococcus aureus is known to play an important role in atopic eczema (AE). Recently, an antibacterial effect of silver-coated textiles on S. aureus colonization has been demonstrated. OBJECTIVES: To investigate clinical efficacy and functionality of silver-coated textiles in AE, a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. PATIENTS/METHODS: From November 2001 to August 2002, 68 consecutive outpatients clinically diagnosed with generalized AE were included in the study. Inclusion criteria were the clinical diagnosis of AE with a moderate severity as measured by the scoring of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index with at least 20. Patients were instructed to wear either silver-coated (verum, 35 patients + 2 dropouts) or cotton garments (placebo, 22 patients + 9 dropouts) directly on the skin for 2 weeks. Only basic skin care and ongoing therapy with topical steroids or oral antihistamines was permitted. Clinical severity was assessed using the 'SCORAD' before, during and at the end of study. Quality of life (QOL), wearing comfort (WC) and functionality (FU) of study clothes were measured in parallel. Patients documented their subjective and objective symptoms daily. RESULTS: In the verum group, eczema improved significantly after 1 week with further enhancement until the end of study (P = 0.03 and P < 0.001). Silver-coated textiles were comparable to cotton in WC and FU. Pruritus and self-assigned skin condition improved significantly more than with placebo (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, silver-coated textiles are able to improve objective and subjective symptoms of AE significantly within 2 weeks, showing a good wearing comfort and functionality comparable to cotton.     

Electrochemistry of Anticonvulsants: Electron Transfer as a Possible Mode of Action

Reduction potentials were determined for various anticonvulsants, including progabide, SL 75.102, CGS 9896, pyridazines, zonisamide, 1,2,3-triazoles, and copper complexes. The values generally were in the range of about -0.1 to -0.6 V for the protonated drugs and the metal complexes. Reduction potentials provide information on the feasibility of electron transfer (ET) in vivo. If the value is relatively positive (greater than about -0.6 V), the agent can act catalytically as an electron acceptor from an appropriate cellular donor. A concomitant favorable influence on abnormal neuronal processes associated with epilepsy could occur. We describe ET as a possible mode of action of anticonvulsants as well as some antiepileptic agents with no electrochemical data based on this hypothetical ET approach.