柴地合方对慢性应激大鼠大脑前额皮质和海马单胺类神经递质的影响

目的：研究柴地合方对脑组织单胺递质含量的影响，探讨其抗抑郁作用可能的机制。方法：复制大鼠慢性应激抑郁模型，慢性给予柴地合方，采用高效液相色谱系统(HPLC)加电化学检测器(ECD)检测前额皮质和海马组织中单胺类神经递质及相关代谢产物的含量。结果：慢性应激大鼠前额皮质中去甲肾上腺素(NE)、5羟色胺(5—HT)和3，4—二羟基苯乙酸(DOPAC)含量显著降低，柴地合方可以翻转这种降低；慢性应激大鼠海马中NE、5—HT含量显著降低，柴地合方可以部分逆转降低水平。结论：柴地合方可升高慢性应激模型大鼠前额皮质和海马中NE和5—HT水平，这可能是其抗抑郁的机制之一。     

Effect of moderate red wine intake on cardiac prognosis after recent acute myocardial infarction of subjects with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background Oxidative stress and increased inflammation have been reported to be increased in subjects with diabetes and to be involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular complications after myocardial infarction (MI). It is well recognized that red wine has antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities. We examined the effects of moderate red wine intake on echocardiographic parameters of functional cardiac outcome in addition to inflammatory cytokines and nitrotyrosine (oxidative stress marker), in subjects with diabetes after a first uncomplicated MI. Methods One hundred and fifteen subjects with diabetes who had sustained a first non‐fatal MI were randomized to receive a moderate daily amount of red wine (intervention group) or not (control group). Echocardiographic parameters of ventricular dys‐synchrony, circulating levels of nitrotyrosine, tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interleukin‐18 (IL‐18) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) were investigated at baseline and 12 months after randomization. Results After 1 year of diet intervention, concentrations of nitrotyrosine (P < 0.01), CRP (P < 0.01), TNF‐α (P < 0.01), IL‐6 (P < 0.01) and IL‐18 (P < 0.01) were increased in the control group compared with the intervention group. In addition, myocardial performance index (P < 0.02) was higher, and transmitral Doppler flow (P < 0.05), pulmonary venous flow analysis (P < 0.02) and ejection fraction (P < 0.05) were lower in the control group, indicating ventricular dys‐synchrony. The concentrations of nitrotyrosine, CRP, TNF‐α and IL‐6 were related to echocardiographic parameters of ventricular dys‐synchrony. Conclusions In subjects with diabetes, red wine consumption, taken with meals, significantly reduces oxidative stress and pro‐inflammatory cytokines as well as improving cardiac function after MI. Moderate red wine intake with meals may have a beneficial effect in the prevention of cardiovascular complications after MI in subjects with diabetes.     

Lithium for irritability in Post-Traumatic stress disorder

Irritability is often a problem for patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We describe two cases that illustrate the use of lithium in the treatment of veterans with PTSD who complained of serious problems with irritability or angry outbursts. These cases are discussed in the context of evidence that lithium may be useful in other patients with disorders of impulse control. The evidence linking disorders of anger and impulse control to a dysregulation in neurotransmitter regulation, particularly in serotonergic pathways, supports a psychopharmacologic approach to treatment. These findings should lead to further study of the role of lithium in the treatment of this symptom complex in patients with PTSD.     

Nerve growth factor and p75NGFR factor receptor mRNA change in rodent CNS following stress activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis

The synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF) by the hippocampus raises the possibility that NGF may play a role in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA). Subchronic cold stress has been shown to activate the HPAA in a mild noninvasive manner, to stimulate serum glucocorticoid levels, and to perturb NGF binding in hippocampus and basal forebrain. One or repeated episodes of cold stress increased NGF mRNA levels in the hippocampus and p75^NGFR mRNA levels in the basal forebrain. These changes were not due to elevated serum glucocorticoid levels since treatment with exogenous corticosterone had no effect on NGF and p75^NGFR mRNA levels. Adrenalectomy did not prevent the stress induced increases in NGF and p75^NGFR mRNA. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Changes of circulating TNF and its effects on Pseudomonas aeruginosa septic shock in rabbits

Itiswellknownthatcertaincytokinesplayapivotalroleinthedevelopmentoftraumaandshock.Tumornecrosisfactor(TNF)isapolypep-tiedcytokinesynthesizedinmonocytesandmacrophagesinresponsetolipopolysaccharide(LPS)stimulation-TherelationshipbetweenTNFandendotoxic-septicshockbecomesafocusoftheresearchofshockmediators[1'2].Alargeamountofexperimentalandclinicaldata[3-9JsuggestthatTNFplaysanimportantroleinthepathogenesisofendotoxic-septicshockbuttheprecisemechanismandtherelationshipofTNFtoshockseverityrem…     

Investigating stress effect patterns in hospital staff nurses: Results of a cluster analysis

A comprehensive and reliable assessment of work stress, burnout, affective, and physical symptomatology was conducted with 260 hospital nurses. As previous attempts to categorize nursing stress and burnout by ward type have yielded inconsistent results, an alternative method for grouping nursing stress effects was sought. Cluster analysis was chosen as it offers a statistically sound means of delineating natural groupings within data. Sets of questionnaires measuring burnout, work stressors, and physical and emotional symptomatology were sent to all staff nurses at a large university hospital. Of 709 nurses employed there, a total of 260 nurses returned completed questionnaire packets. These nurses were separated into two equal groups using random sampling procedures. Cluster analysis of this data revealed groupings which were based on nursing stressors (particularly workload and conflict with physicians), social support, and patient loads. These cluster-analytic findings were replicated on both samples, and validated using data not used in the original cluster analysis. Results suggest that the effects of stress have more to do with the characteristics of the work environment and overall workload than with the degree of specialization on the unit. Results also suggest that intraprofessional conflict (i.e. with other nurses) is less psychologically damaging than is interprofessional conflict (i.e. conflict with physicians). Findings are discussed with respect to the burnout process and possible interventions.     

Elevation of plasma thioredoxin levels in HIV-infected individuals

Thioredoxin (Trx), a ubiquitous protein intimately involvedin redox and protein disulfide reductions, has been shown tobe released from cells and to have cytokine-like activities.In addition, Trx has been implicated in the redox regulationof immunological responses and shown to be deficient in tissuesfrom AIDS patients. In studies presented here, plasma Trx levelswere measured by ELISA in plasma samples from HIV-infected individuals(n = 136) and HIV-negative controls (n = 47). To account forthe release of Trx into plasma due to hemolysis, the Trx measurementswere corrected according to the level of hemoglobin in the plasmasample. Data presented show that, in contrast to tissue Trxlevels, corrected plasma Trx levels are significantly higherin HIV-infected individuals than in controls (P < 0.0001).Furthermore, {small tilde}25% of the HIV-infected individualsstudied have plasma Trx levels greater than the highest levelfound in controls (37 ng/ml). Detailed multiparameter FACS analysisof peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from the infectedindividuals demonstrates that those with higher plasma Trx levels(37 ng/ml or greater) tend to have lower overall CD4 counts.In addition, increases in plasma Trx levels correlate with decreasesin monochlorobimane staining (indicative of lower intracellularglutathione levels in PBMC) and with changes in surface antigenexpression (CD62L, CD38 and CD20) that occur in the later stagesof HIV infection. These correlations suggest that elevationof plasma Trx levels may be an important component of advancedHIV disease, perhaps related to the oxidative stress that oftenoccurs at this stage.     

Cellular distribution of the iron-binding protein lactotransferrin in the mesencephalon of Parkinson’s disease cases

Changes in the distribution of the iron-binding protein lactotransferrin have recently been described in the central nervous system during a variety of neurodegenerative disorders. To investigate whether lactotransferrin is associated with the neuropathological changes that characterize Parkinson’s disease, we analyzed the distribution of this protein in the mesencephalon of neurologically normal individuals and patients affected with Parkinson’s disease using quantitative immunohistochemical methods. High levels of lactotransferrin were observed in a large population of neurons in the substantia nigra of control cases. Lactotransferrin-positive neurons were severely affected by the neurodegenerative process that occurs in Parkinson’s disease as indicated by a severe decrease in the number of immunolabeled neurons in all of these cases. Quantitative analysis also demonstrated higher immunolabeling levels of lactotransferrin in the surviving neurons in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area of Parkinson’s disease cases compared to control cases. These results suggest that lactotransferrin may participate actively in the mechanism of neuronal degeneration in Parkinson’s disease. Received: 16 October 1995 / Revised, accepted: 1 December 1995     

Average and peak contact stress distribution evaluation of total knee arthroplasties

Seven total knee arthroplasty systems were tested to determine contact stress patterns and contact areas using a calibrated Fuji film stress analysis technique. Knees were loaded to 2,000 N (204 kg) at 15°, 60°, 90°, and 135° flexion at 24 and 37°C. Evaluation of stresses at 37°C at 15° and 60° using an average contact stress assessment technique indicated that the LCS meniscal bearing knee system, (DePuy, Warsaw, IN), the AMK knee with a constrained insert (DePuy), and the PFC knee with a posterior-lipped insert (Johnson and Johnson, Raynham, MA) had the lowest average contact stresses (near or below 10 MPa). The PFC with a regular insert (Johnson and Johnson), the Ortholoc II (Dow Corning Wright, Arlington, TN), and the AMK with a regular insert (DePuy) had intermediate contact stresses. The AMK with a Hylamer-M insert (DePuy) and the MG II (Zimmer, Warsaw, IN) had the highest average contact stresses (near or above 20 MPa). A stress-calibrated Fuji film measurement technique has shown that an assessment of ranges of contact stress provides much more information about regions of expected wear than an assessment of average contact stresses. Testing of the tibiofemoral articulation of artificial knees revealed that all knees had some areas of contact with maximum stresses in excess of 15 MPa. As the yield strength of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene is approximately 15 MPa, all tibial inserts could wear to some extent. Peak contact stresses at four test angles of the AMK, Series 7000 (Osteonics, Allendale, NJ:) Genesis (Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics, Memphis, TN), and MG II patellofemoral articulations were high (above 30 MPa). Contact areas varied from line-shaped to bilateral circular or elliptical shapes. The LCS knee system experienced substantially lower patellofemoral contact stresses and larger contact areas. Changes in conformity of knee designs are warranted to overcome wear problems. Peak contact stresses measured from the LCS meniscal bearing tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joint were in excess of 30 MPa in some areas at low flexion angles. This design does create large areas of contact at very low contact pressures, however, and for this reason is expected to wear less than other designs.