Differential Regulation of RGS-2 by Constant and Oscillating PTH Concentrations

PTH has diverse effects on bone metabolism: anabolic when given intermittently, catabolic when given continuously. The cellular mechanisms underlying the varying target cell response are not clear yet. PTH induces RGS-2, a member of the Regulator of G-protein Signaling protein family, via cAMP/PKA, and inactivates PKC-mediated signaling. To investigate intracellular signaling pathways with different PTH concentration-time patterns, we treated UMR 106-01 osteoblast-like cells in a perfusion system. PTH was administered intermittently (4 min/h, 10⁻⁷ M) or continuously at an equivalent cumulative dose (6.6 × 10⁻⁹ M). cAMP was measured using radioimmunoassay, mRNA levels using real-time rtPCR and ribonuclease protection assay, and protein levels using Western immunoblotting. A single PTH pulse transiently increased cAMP levels by 2000% ± 1200%. In contrast to continuous PTH exposure, cAMP induction remained unchanged with intermittent PTH, ruling out desensitization of the PTH receptor. In continuously perfused cells, RGS-2 abundance was three to five times higher than in cells intermittently exposed to PTH for up to 12 h. MKP-1 and -3 were significantly less induced with pulsatile PTH; exposure-mode-dependent differences in MMP-13 and IGFBP-5 were small. Pulsatile but not continuous PTH administration prevents PTHrP receptor desensitization and accumulation of RGS-2 in osteoblasts, which should preserve PKC-dependent signaling.     

Partner- and partnership-related risk factors for preterm birth among low-income women in Lima,Peru

A woman's partner and the characteristics of their partnership can play an important role in the health of her pregnancy. Yet, with the notable exception of intimate partner violence, there has been little previous research addressing the associations between partner- or partnership-related factors and birth outcomes. This analysis tested the hypothesis that risk factors related specifically to partner or partnership characteristics increased the risk for preterm birth. Between 2003 and 2005, a total of 580 preterm cases (20–36 weeks gestational age at delivery) and 633 term controls (≥37 weeks) were selected from women delivering at an obstetric hospital in Lima, Peru. Each woman completed a confidential, structured interview and provided biological specimens within 48 h after delivery. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess associations between partner and partnership characteristics and preterm birth. After adjustment for behavioral, demographic, and obstetric risk factors, ever having had a partner with a history of drug use (aOR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.22–2.99), ever having had anal sex (aOR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.07–1.84), having a current partner with a history of visiting prostitutes (aOR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.22–2.33), and perceiving one's current partner as a “womanizer” (aOR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.02–1.77) were significantly associated with an elevated risk of preterm birth when tested in separate models. These four factors were then used to create a composite partnership risk score, which showed an increasing dose-response relationship with preterm birth risk (per additional partner risk factor: aOR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.16–1.49). These results highlight the importance of considering a broader set of risk factors for preterm birth, specifically those related to a woman's partner and partnership characteristics. Further research could clarify the specific mechanisms through which these partner and partnership characteristics may increase the risk of preterm birth.     

肥胖类型与脑卒中亚型的相关性研究

目的探讨肥胖类型与脑卒中亚型的相关性。方法将573例急性脑卒中患者分为脑出血组126例,脑梗死组447例,脑梗死组再分为脑血栓形成组(215例)和腔隙性脑梗死组(232例),另外选择277例无脑卒中者为对照组。测量腰围、臀围和体重,计算体重指数和腰臀比(WHR),分析肥胖参数与脑卒中各亚组的关系。结果脑卒中各亚组与对照组肥胖发生率差异无显著性意义(P>0.05);各组WHR明显大于对照组(P<0.05)。WHR增大明显增加脑卒中各亚组的危险性(P<0.05);女性腹围增大患腔隙性脑梗死危险性升高(P<0.05);男性体重增加患脑出血的危险性升高(P<0.01)。结论腹型肥胖是脑出血、脑血栓形成和腔隙性脑梗死的危险因素之一。     

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the metabolic syndrome and the risk of cardiovascular disease: the plot thickens.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects a substantial proportion of the general population and is frequently associated with many features of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Currently, the importance of NAFLD and its relationship with the MetS is being increasingly recognized, and this has stimulated an interest in the possible role of NAFLD in the development of atherosclerosis. Recent studies have reported the association of NAFLD with multiple classical and non-classical risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Moreover, there is a strong association between the severity of liver histopathology in NAFLD patients and greater carotid artery intima-media thickness and plaque, and lower endothelial flow-mediated vasodilation (as markers of subclinical atherosclerosis) independent of obesity and other MetS components. Finally, it has recently been demonstrated that NAFLD is associated with an increased risk of all-cause death and predicts future CVD events independently of other prognostic factors, including MetS components. Overall, therefore, the evidence from these recent studies strongly emphasizes the importance of assessing the global CVD risk in patients with NAFLD. Moreover, these novel findings suggest a more complex picture and raise the possibility that NAFLD, as a component of the MetS, might not only be a marker but also an early mediator of CVD.     

老年颈动脉硬化患者血清炎症因子与中医证型的关系

目的研究老年颈动脉硬化患者不同中医证型血清内皮细胞粘附分子-1（ICAM-1）、血管细胞粘附分子-1（VCAM-1）、E选择素（E-selectin）、P选择素（p-selectin）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）和C反应蛋白（CRP）等炎症因子水平。方法收集176例颈动脉硬化患者，采用酶联免疫吸附法测定血清ICAM-1、VCAM-1、E-selectin、p-selectin、IL-6和CRP等水平，比较痰证、血瘀证和精髓亏虚证型颈动脉硬化患者血清粘附分子水平变化。结果发现各型颈动脉硬化患者血清炎症因子水平均较对照组显著上升；颈动脉硬化痰证组患者血清ICAM-1和VCAM-1均较血瘀证和精髓亏虚证患者显著上升（P〈0．05）。结论老年患者外周血中炎症因子水平可以在一定程度上反映患者的颈动脉硬化程度，老年颈动脉硬化痰证患者外周血中粘附分子水平的变化具有一定特异性，痰的微观实质可能与粘附分子之间存在某种内在联系。     

出血性脑梗死危险因素的Logistic回归分析

目的探讨出血性脑梗死的危险因素。方法根据专业知识确定与出血性脑梗死有关的因素,采用非条件Logistic回归确定危险因素。结果大面积梗死灶、使用抗凝剂或溶栓治疗、糖尿病史是出血性脑梗死的独立危险因素,与年龄、高血压史、高血脂关系不大。结论大面积脑梗死、使用抗凝剂或溶栓、糖尿病患者发生梗死后出血的几率增大,及时行影像学检查可以早期发现。     

自制稀土永磁夹板对骨折愈合作用的观察

目的观察稀土永磁夹板对家兔骨折愈合质量及骨形态发生蛋白（BMP-2）、血管内皮细胞生长因子（VEGF）表达情况的影响,从分子生物学水平探讨磁场促进骨折愈合的作用机制。方法健康成年家兔50只,建立双前肢桡骨中段骨折模型。左侧用稀土永磁夹板固定,作为实验侧;右侧用内镶铅片小夹板固定,作为对照侧。分别于术后1、2、3、4、6周摄双前肢X线片后取材,进行HE及BMP-2、VEGF免疫组化染色并在光镜下观察。结果X线片图像定量分析结果比较,实验侧愈合明显快于对照侧。两侧差异有显著性（P〈0.05）。实验侧在1、2、3、4周VEGF的表达均比对照侧强,两侧差异有显著性（P〈0.05）。实验侧在2、3、4周BMP-2的表达均比对照侧强,两侧差异有显著性（P〈0.01）。结论静磁场在骨折愈合过程中可加强BMP-2、VEGF的表达。自制稀土永磁夹板对实验性骨折愈合有明显的促进作用。