Pedophilia is linked to reduced activation in hypothalamus and lateral prefrontal cortex during visual erotic stimulation.

BACKGROUND: Although pedophilia is of high public concern, little is known about underlying neural mechanisms. Although pedophilic patients are sexually attracted to prepubescent children, they show no sexual interest toward adults. This study aimed to investigate the neural correlates of deficits of sexual and emotional arousal in pedophiles. METHODS: Thirteen pedophilic patients and 14 healthy control subjects were tested for differential neural activity during visual stimulation with emotional and erotic pictures with functional magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Regions showing differential activations during the erotic condition comprised the hypothalamus, the periaqueductal gray, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the latter correlating with a clinical measure. Alterations of emotional processing concerned the amygdala-hippocampus and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSIONS: Hypothesized regions relevant for processing of erotic stimuli in healthy individuals showed reduced activations during visual erotic stimulation in pedophilic patients. This suggests an impaired recruitment of key structures that might contribute to an altered sexual interest of these patients toward adults.     

Percutaneous coronary intervention in two occluded arms of a saphenous 'Y'-graft: the importance of protecting both of your arms.

Percutaneous intervention in saphenous vein grafts (SVG) carries a higher risk of distal embolization than intervention in a native vessel, and use of a distal protection device has been shown to improve the outcomes in SVG interventions. We describe an intervention done in an unexpected 'Y' SVG which required dual distal protection with Filterwires placed in both limbs of the diseased graft and which was performed via a 6 Fr guide catheter.     

Preparation of protected peptidyl thioester intermediates for native chemical ligation by Nα‐9‐fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) chemistry: considerations of side‐chain and backbone anchoring strategies,and compatible protection for N‐terminal cysteine*,†

Abstract: Native chemical ligation has proven to be a powerful method for the synthesis of small proteins and the semisynthesis of larger ones. The essential synthetic intermediates, which are C‐terminal peptide thioesters, cannot survive the repetitive piperidine deprotection steps of N^α‐9‐fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) chemistry. Therefore, peptide scientists who prefer to not use N^α‐t‐butyloxycarbonyl (Boc) chemistry need to adopt more esoteric strategies and tactics in order to integrate ligation approaches with Fmoc chemistry. In the present work, side‐chain and backbone anchoring strategies have been used to prepare the required suitably (partially) protected and/or activated peptide intermediates spanning the length of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI). Three separate strategies for managing the critical N‐terminal cysteine residue have been developed: (i) incorporation of N^α‐9‐fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl‐S‐(N‐methyl‐N‐phenylcarbamoyl)sulfenylcysteine [Fmoc‐Cys(Snm)‐OH], allowing creation of an otherwise fully protected resin‐bound intermediate with N‐terminal free Cys; (ii) incorporation of N^α‐9‐fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl‐S‐triphenylmethylcysteine [Fmoc‐Cys(Trt)‐OH], generating a stable Fmoc‐Cys(H)‐peptide upon acidolytic cleavage; and (iii) incorporation of N^α‐t‐butyloxycarbonyl‐S‐fluorenylmethylcysteine [Boc‐Cys(Fm)‐OH], generating a stable H‐Cys(Fm)‐peptide upon cleavage. In separate stages of these strategies, thioesters are established at the C‐termini by selective deprotection and coupling steps carried out while peptides remain bound to the supports. Pilot native chemical ligations were pursued directly on‐resin, as well as in solution after cleavage/purification.     

Electrophysiological evaluation in 4 patients with diabetic pseudotabes

BACKGROUND: Researches on diabetic nervous system lesion are mainly focus on peripheral nerve and vegetative nerve, so there are few investigations on diabetic pseudotabes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the electrophysiological examinations on the diagnosis of diabetic pseudotabes. DESIGN: Case study. SETTING: Department of Electrophysiology and Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 4 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, including 3 males and 1 female aged from 50 to 72 years, were selected from Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University from March 2002 to February 2005. All accepted subjects met the modified diagnostic criteria of diabetes mellitus, which was set by American Diabetes Mellitus Association (ADA) in 1997. Otherwise, the subjects had typical symptoms and physical signs of spinal posterior funiculus damage. However, patients with spinal cord lesion which was caused by other factors were excluded. All accepted subjects provided the confirmed consent. METHODS: Nicolet NT electromyography (EMG)/evoked potential meter (made in the USA) was used to detect spinal cord conduction velocity (SCCV), somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) of lower limbs, motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) of extremities. Determining criteria: Measurements were performed based on the laboratory standards. SCCV, which was less than lower limit of normal value (T2–12: 40–55 m/s, T12–L4: 20–41 m/s, T2–L4: 36–45 m/s), was regarded as abnormal. SEP value of lower limbs: P40, P60 and PF, which were more than standard deviation of normal value (x(—)+2.5), were regarded as the abnormality. Normal value of P40, P60 and PF latencies (x(—)±s) in this study: P40, P60 and PF in males were (37.6±1.9) ms, (59.8±3.9) ms and (7.6±0.9) ms, respectively; meanwhile, those in females were (35.5±1.7) ms, (55.2±2.7) ms and (6.3±0.7) ms, respectively. MNCV and SNCV, which were less than 50 m/s in upper limbs and 40 m/s in lower limbs, were regarded as the abnormality. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Electrophysiological examinations. RESULTS: All 4 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were involved in the final analysis. ① SCCV: Among 4 patients, SCCV of three patients was decreased in T2–12, T12–L4 and T2–L4, and that of the other one was decreased in T2–12 and T2–L4; however, SCCV in T12–L4 was normal. There was significant difference as compared with normal value (P < 0.01). ② SEP of lower limbs: SEP values of lower limbs were abnormal in all 4 patients. Among them, P40, P60 and PF latencies of two patients were delayed; P40 of one patient was delayed and PF was not drained out; P40 and P60 of the last one were delayed and PF was normal. ③ MNCV and SNCV: The MNCV and SNCV were normal in one patient and abnormal in three patients. The results demonstrated that MNCV and SNCV of extremities decreased; especially, sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) of both lower extremities of one patient were not drained out. CONCLUSION: Detections of SCCV, SEP of lower limbs, MNCV and SNCV of extremities are helpful to investigate whether peripheral nerve and deep sensory passage are damaged or not and determine whether deep sensory damage is caused by peripheral nerve and spinal posterior funiculus.     

幼兔缺血预处理在心肌保护第二窗期对未成熟心肌Bcl-2基因mRNA表达的影响

目的　观察幼兔心脏缺血预处理 2 4h对未成熟心肌缺血 /再灌注后Bcl -2mRNA表达的影响 ,探讨未成熟心肌保护第二窗形成的作用机理。方法　 18只 3～ 4周龄幼兔 ,随机分为 3组 ,每组 6只 :Ⅰ组 ,正常对照组 ;Ⅱ组 ,缺血 /再灌注损伤组 ;Ⅲ组 ,缺血预处理组。建立活体心脏缺血 /再灌注损伤模型 ,Maclab/8s系统监测左心室发展压 (LVDP)、左室压上升及下降最大速率 (+dp/dtmax,-dp/dtmax)变化 ,原位免疫杂交 (ISH)方法检测心肌细胞内Bcl-2mRNA的表达。结果　缺血再灌注前 ,各组间LVDP、±dp/dtmax无显著性差异 (P >0 .0 5) ;再灌注 1h后 ,Ⅱ组的LVDP、+dp/dtmax和 -dp/dtmax恢复率分别为 (42 .81± 12 .56) %、(3 0 .67± 16.2 2 ) %和 (2 9.49± 10 .13 ) % ;Ⅲ组LVDP、+dp/dtmax及 -dp/dtmax恢复率分别为 (84.15± 13 .56) %、(69.49± 10 .3 6) %和 (58.3 7± 12 .45) % ,两组间有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 1)。Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组Bcl -2mRNA表达阳性细胞面积百分数分别为 (8.3± 2 .5) %、(76.3±13 .5) % ,两组间有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 1)。结论　缺血预处理可上调Bcl -2mRNA表达 ,参与未成熟心肌保护第二窗的形成 ,促进未成熟心肌缺血 /再灌注后心室功能恢复     

肺内源性和肺外源性呼吸衰竭机械通气的临床对比研究

目的探讨肺内源性和肺外源性呼吸衰竭机械通气时的肺保护性策略。方法通过25例呼吸衰竭中12例肺内源性和13例肺外源性机械通气临床资料的回顾性分析,对比研究两组呼吸力学差异时对通气模式选择、参数设置和调节的影响,以及肺保护的实施方法。结果在两组APACHE-Ⅱ评分、平均年龄和Vt设置无差异的条件(P>005)下,肺内源性组PEEP/CPAP、PSV、f的需设值均明显高于肺外源性组(P<001)。肺内源性组Pplat、PIP、Raw的监测结果大于肺外源性组,而Crs小于肺外源性组(P<001)。肺内源性组417%和肺外源性组154%因MOF而死亡(APACHE-Ⅱ评分均>20分),组间比较有显著差异(P<001)。结论肺内源性和肺外源性呼吸衰竭机械通气时,实施肺保护的方法不同。前者应首选压力预置通气模式,后者可首选容量预置通气模式。以设置中、小Vt为原则,按个体化的通气需求而设置f和加用恰当的PSV、CPAP/PEEP对减少VILI、病死率可能有益。     

New wound protection for rabbits

Rabbits are the experimental animals of choice in many studies including flaps, wounds, and topical trials for new pharmacological agents. Because the topical drugs and other materials used for dressing are irritating to the animal, they tend to remove dressings, bandages, drapes, insensate flaps, and also topical drugs by scratching, licking, and biting if they are within the reach of the animal. In this study, we report an easy to prepare, user-friendly, comfortable, and cheap dressing protector called a dressing shield to prevent these problems.     

阿片肽与缺血性脑损伤

阿片肽及其受体系统在缺血性脑损伤的病理生理发展过程中具有非常重要的作用。其在缺血性脑损伤中的作用尚存争议，本文综述了阿片肽及其受体系统在缺血性脑损伤中的作用及其可能机制，有助于探索阿片肽在围术期的合理应用，为缺血性脑损伤防治研究提供新方向。     

Use of Fmoc-N-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzyl) amino acids in peptide synthesis

The use of N, O-bisFmoc-N-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzyl) amino acid derivatives in the synthesis of peptides with difficult sequences has already been described. With these amino acid derivatives the reversible protecting group 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzyl (Hmb) for the backbone amide bonds of peptide chains is introduced, and thus the aggregation due to hydrogen-bond interchain association is inhibited. This paper describes the synthesis and use of Fmoc-N-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzyl)amino acid derivatives as an alternative means of introducing Hmb backbone protection. These new monoFmoc derivatives were obtained in higher yield than the bisFmoc derivatives. Coupling yields to the amino peptide resin were the same as those obtained with bisFmoc derivatives, under the TBTU/HOBt/DIEA conditions. We also compared different syntheses of a difficult peptide with the Fmoc approach [triple coupling, capping, use of chaotropic agents, backbone protection using monoFmoc (Hmb)Ala] and with optimized Boc chemistry. Both the backbone protection and optimized Boc chemistry approaches gave the desired product in excellent yield and purity. © Munksgaard 1997.     

The 2,4-dinitrophenyl group for protection of hydroxyl function of tyrosine during solid-phase peptide synthesis

The facile thiolytic cleavage of the O-2,4-dinitrophenyl (Dnp) tyrosine bond was applied to the solid-phase synthesis of the 22-amino acid residue peptide H-Asp-Ala-Val-Tyr -Thr-Gly-Leu-Asn-Thr-Arg-Asn-Gln-Glu-Thr-Tyr -Glu-Thr-Leu-Lys-His-Glu-Lys-OH, corresponding to positions 62-83 in the chain of the type 1 receptor for Fc_ε, domains expressed on the rat mucosal-type mast cells (line RBL-2H3). A method for the spectrophotometric determination of insoluble O-Dnp as well as of unprotected phenolic moieties of tyrosine was developed. It is based on monitoring S-Dnp-2-mercaptoethanol, produced upon O-Dnp thiolysis by 2-mercaptoethanol. © Munksgaard 1995. Dedicated to the memory of Dr. Susumu Funakoshi, a dear friend and a leader in peptide chemistry.