Laser induced autofluorescence studies of animal skin used in modeling of human cutaneous tissue spectroscopic measurements

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Laser-induced autofluorescence spectroscopy provides excellent possibilities for medical diagnostics of different tissue pathologies including cancer. However, to create the whole picture of pathological changes, investigators collect spectral information from patients in vivo or they study different tumor models to obtain objective information for fluorescent properties of every kind of healthy and diseased tissue. Therefore, it is very important to find the most appropriate, and close to the human skin, animal samples from the fluorescence point of view, which will allow the extrapolation of the animal data to human spectroscopic diagnostics. METHODS: In the present work, we examined the autofluorescence properties of different animal skin tissues, which are considered as the most common skin models. A nitrogen laser was used as an excitation source. Samples of healthy mouse, chicken and pig skin in vivo and/or ex vivo were studied and were compared with results obtained from investigations of healthy human skin in vivo. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Specific features of the recorded spectra are discussed and the possible origin of the obtained fluorescence signals is proposed. Quantitative evaluation of data extrapolation for each skin type is also depicted.     

血红素抑制内皮细胞损伤的形态学观察

目的 探讨血红素对人脐静脉内皮细胞氧化应激损伤的保护作用。方法 将培养的人脐静脉内皮细胞进行分组：对照组、损伤组、血红素组。观察各组细胞在光、电镜下形态学的改变。结果 在光镜下，血红素组细胞的生长状态明显优于损伤组；在电镜下，损伤组细胞核固缩，而血红素组细胞核幼稚，核仁明显。结论 在人脐静脉内皮细胞中，血红素对过氧化氢所造成的氧化应激损伤有明显的保护作用。     

Fisher information matrix for nonlinear mixed effects multiple response models: Evaluation of the appropriateness of the first order linearization using a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model

We focus on the Fisher information matrix used for design evaluation and optimization in nonlinear mixed effects multiple response models. We evaluate the appropriateness of its expression computed by linearization as proposed for a single response model. Using a pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PKPD) example, we first compare the computation of the Fisher information matrix with approximation to one derived from the observed matrix on a large simulation using the stochastic approximation expectation–maximization algorithm (SAEM). The expression of the Fisher information matrix for multiple responses is also evaluated by comparison with the empirical information obtained through a replicated simulation study using the first‐order linearization estimation methods implemented in the NONMEM software (first‐order (FO), first‐order conditional estimate (FOCE)) and the SAEM algorithm in the MONOLIX software. The predicted errors given by the approximated information matrix are close to those given by the information matrix obtained without linearization using SAEM and to the empirical ones obtained with FOCE and SAEM. The simulation study also illustrates the accuracy of both FOCE and SAEM estimation algorithms when jointly modelling multiple responses and the major limitations of the FO method. This study highlights the appropriateness of the approximated Fisher information matrix for multiple responses, which is implemented in PFIM 3.0, an extension of the R function PFIM dedicated to design evaluation and optimization. It also emphasizes the use of this computing tool for designing population multiple response studies, as for instance in PKPD studies or in PK studies including the modelling of the PK of a drug and its active metabolite. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Genetics in multiple sclerosis: past and future perspectives

The enormous development in the field of molecular genetics during the last decades has lead to optimism concerning the possibilities for identifying the causes of multiple sclerosis (MS) through genetic studies. However, we have learned that dense mapping of large sample sets is needed, which only can be achieved through large collaborative studies. The contribution from each yet unidentified gene is probably weaker than that of the well established human leukocyte antigen association. The ultimate goal of the search for susceptibility genes in MS is to develop diagnostic tools and better treatments that can prevent or reduce the development of symptoms of this often devastating disease.     

Kidney Transplantation in Patients with Antibodies against Donor HLA Class II

The immunologic risk associated with donor-specific antibodies (DSA) against Class II human leukocyte antigens (HLA) in kidney transplant (KTx) recipients is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of KTx when DSA was detected only against HLA Class II. To isolate the impact of anti-Class II DSA, we retrospectively analyzed 12 KTx recipients who at baseline had a positive B-cell flow cytometric crossmatch (FXM) and a negative T-cell FXM. Using alloantibody specification analysis, 58.3% (7/12) had DSA against donor Class II and 41.7% had no demonstrable DSA. Biopsy-proven AMR occurred in 57% (4/7) in the Class II(+) group and 0% in the Class II(-) group (p > 0.05). Peritubular capillaries stained positive for C4d in 86% (6/7) of the Class II(+) patients and in 40% (2/5) of the Class II(-) patients (p > 0.05). One patient in the Class II(+) group lost their graft at 3 months to accelerated transplant glomerulopathy, while all other grafts were functioning 3-37 months posttransplant despite the persistence of anti-Class II DSA. We conclude that KTx recipients with clearly defined anti-Class II DSA are at risk for humoral rejection suggesting that desensitization and/or close posttransplant monitoring may be needed to prevent AMR.     

肝硬化大鼠肝部分切除术后肝再生的干预研究

目的　以肝硬化大鼠为动物模型 ,研究药物对肝硬化大鼠肝部分切除术后肝再生的影响。方法　取健康的Wistar雄性大鼠 6 4只 ,以 6 0 ?l4油溶液 0 .3ml/ 10 0 g皮下注射 ,同时饮用 5 %酒精溶液 ,4 5d后制成肝硬化动物模型。模型大鼠随机分为 4组 ,16只 /组。全麻下均行左、中叶肝切除术。术后各组按以下方案处理 :A组 (对照组 )注射生理盐水 1mg/ (kg·d) ,B组为泮托拉唑组 ,注射 0 .2mg/ (kg·d) ,C组为重组人生长激素组 ,注射 0 .5U/ (kg·d) ,D组为两药合用组 ,同时给予泮托拉唑注射 0 .2mg/ (kg·d) ,重组人生长激素注射 0 .5U/ (kg·d) ) ,连续给药 1周。抽取静脉血样 ,取肝脏组织 ,检测肝功能、有丝分裂指数 (MI)、增殖细胞核抗原 (PCNA)、细胞核DNA含量。结果　泮托拉唑组、重组人生长激素组、两药合用组MI、PCNA阳性染色细胞量、细胞核DNA含量均高于对照组 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,两药合用组MI、PCNA阳性染色细胞量、细胞核DNA含量均高于泮托拉唑组、重组人生长激素组 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,但各组间肝功能变化无明显差异。结论　泮托拉唑组及重组人生长激素均对肝硬化大鼠肝部分切除术后肝细胞再生有促进作用 ,两药联合应用肝细胞再生更明显 ,其详细机制须待进一步研究。     

水分胁迫条件下不同栽培居群菘蓝中4种有机酸的变化

目的:检测北京、内蒙古、河北和陕西等4个栽培居群菘蓝叶片中草酸、苹果酸、柠檬酸和抗坏血酸等4种有机酸成分含量的差异及在淹水胁迫下的变化.方法:采用高效液相色谱法测定正常及水分胁迫下不同栽培居群的菘蓝叶片中4种有机酸的含量.结果:不同栽培居群叶片中有机酸含量不同,而在水分胁迫条件下,各栽培居群有机酸含量变化趋势相同,草酸、苹果酸和柠檬酸含量升高,抗坏血酸含量下降.结论:不同栽培居群的菘蓝所含各有机酸存在一定差异,在水淹等逆境条件下,其叶片中有机酸含量发生不同程度地变化,并与其逆境生理密切相关.     

Patient comprehension and recall of laparoscopic surgery and outcomes in a non-English speaking population.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine patient recall and comprehension after laparoscopic appendectomy in an underserved population. Laparoscopic surgery can lead to diagnostic uncertainty secondary to poor recall and variable port placement. METHODS: After institutional review board approval, we identified a cohort of patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy from 2000 to 2004 at a single institution. We then attempted to contact the patients to conduct a 10-question telephone survey, which determined whether the patient spoke English or Spanish as a primary language, ethnicity, educational level, and questions about recall of perioperative events and diagnoses. If we could not reach the patient, we tried to call back on 2 different occasions. RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2004, 186 patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. Of these, 65% were Hispanic. We found that only 17% of these patients returned for a postoperative visit. Only 19.3% could be contacted by phone. Forty-seven percent of the patients contacted by phone spoke Spanish exclusively. Overall 92% of patients contacted knew what operation they had, and gave their correct diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The low percentage of patients available to follow-up makes this study statistically insignificant. However, we believe that fact in itself is important. In Southwestern states, we see a large migrant population. This highlights the need to communicate effectively with the patients at the time of surgery, which we speculate we did based on the percentage of patients that knew their diagnosis.