Continuous recording of urethral activity in healthy female volunteers

The pressure variations at the maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP) were continuously recorded in healthy female volunteers by means of a two-point microtip transducer catheter for one hour. Before the investigation a normal voiding was assured objectively and bladder instability was excluded. All women showed pressure variations both at the MUCP and more distally. The pressure variations, from 3 to 66 cm H₂O, showed rhythmicity and three frequency ranges could be identified. Slow pressure waves with a frequency of one in eight to 19 minutes were observed. Relatively fast-pressure waves were observed (one every one to four minutes) and relatively fast-frequency pressure waves were observed (rate: one to eight per minute). The pressure variations of the urethra seem to be an aspect of normal urethral physiology possibly contributing to continence and urinary tract infection prevention.     

参附注射液对大鼠胰腺移植受体小肠肠粘膜屏障的保护作用

目的探讨参附注射液（SF）对大鼠胰腺移植受体肠粘膜屏障的保护作用及机制。方法24只糖尿病大鼠随机分为缺血再灌注组（IR组。n=12），参附注射液预处理组（SF组．n=12），12只正常大鼠为对照组，IR组和SF组大鼠均接受胰腺移植，再灌注后5d检测小肠通透性和吸收功能，检测血清TNF-α、NO、SOD和淀粉酶活性，取受体空肠粘膜组织检测小肠粘膜粘膜湿重、微绒毛高度及宽度、MDA含量及MPO活性，同时取肠系膜静脉血、肠系膜淋巴结、肝及脾组织进行细菌培养，观察细菌易位情况。结果再灌注后SF组血清TNF—α含量（P〈0．01）、淀粉酶活性（P〈0．01）、MDA含量（P〈0．01）、MPO活性（P〈0．01）、小肠通透性（P〈0．01）、细菌易位率（P〈0．01）和小肠粘膜损伤程度均低于IR组；血清NO和SOD含量、小肠吸收功能均高于IR组（P〈0．01）。结论SF预处理可保护大鼠胰腺移植受体小肠肠粘膜屏障，降低细菌易位率，机制可能与降低胰酶活性、减少TNF—α生成、减轻PMNs粘附与聚集、增加NO和SOD含量有关。     

参附注射液对实验性急性坏死性胰腺炎肠道细菌移位的影响

目的：研究参附注射液对实验性急性坏死性胰腺炎（ANP）时肠道细菌移位的影响。方法：ANP大鼠制模方法采用胰腺被膜下注射牛磺胆酸钠。假手术组、对照组经皮下注射生理盐水，实验组同法给予等量参附注射液。取标本（下腔静脉血、腹水、肠系膜淋巴结及大肠内容物）进行细菌培养，计数菌落数及鉴定细菌种类。结果：标本中生长的细菌与大肠内容物培养细菌种类相同，实验组标本的菌落数少于对照组（P〈0.01）。结论：实验性ANP大鼠合并感染的细菌来源于肠道，参附注射液可以减少肠道细菌移位。     

Female patients complaining about hair loss: documentation of defective scalp hair dynamics with contrast-enhanced phototrichogram

BACKGROUND: The complaint of chronic hair loss frequently affects female subjects and there is little or no objective technology available in the general dermatology or even in the hair clinics to guide the observer in the management of the patient. The purpose of this report is to share the results of refined hair growth measurements that were collected in 92 female subjects complaining about hair loss. METHODS: Clinically they were classified as having a patterned hair loss according to Ludwig (L; n=50), diffuse hair loss (D; n=13) or no visible hair loss but complaining of hair shedding (N; n=29). Two scalp sites on the top of the head and one occipital site were investigated after clipping by close-up photography before and after a hair dye (contrast enhancement, CE). Forty-eight hours later a new photograph was taken after CE in view of phototrichogram analysis (CE-PTG). Finally a last hair clip was performed 30 days later and hair thickness and length determined for linear growth measurements (LHGR). RESULTS: Herein we confirm that the top of the head shows usually a higher hair density than occipital sites, a physiological observation that applies both to men and women. From the technological perspective, we also document that CE improves hair detection in all sites. Interestingly, in affected patients (L and D) the relative increase of hair counts after CE was much higher (range +22.4% to +28.3%) compared with apparently unaffected females (N; range +8.2% to +9.7%). This increase in hair counts was only due in part to the presence of less pigmented thinning hair (thickness less than 40 microm). Such thin hairs were found in statistically significantly higher proportions in younger patients with mildly severe (grade I) patterned alopecia (Ludwig: L). In other patients with hair loss and in more severe forms of patterned alopecia - especially in older patients - the thin hair is not detected in abnormal proportions. In all sites slower growth rates and decreased anagen percentages indicate a defective hair replacement programme distinguishing L patterns from diffuse hair loss and from apparently unaffected patients complaining of chronic hair loss. Globally, we also noted that increasing age is associated with significant regression of scalp hair (decreased hair counts, thinner hair and slower LHGR). CONCLUSION: On the basis of the present data together with female data from the literature and our own studies in male subjects, we suggest a three-step mechanism leading to hair loss 1.Shortening of growth phase the hair cycle with maintained thick hair, i.e. more frequent hair cycling that leads to more hair shedding. 2.Intermittent production of short thin hair, i.e. morphological evidence of miniaturisation. 3.Very occasional or almost no hair production, i.e. dormant follicles or irreversible follicular atrophy. Depending on the genetic background, hormonal microenvironment in the scalp and conditioning of individual hair follicle bio-responses, female and male patterned hair loss may end up into different phenotypes.     

Activation of peripheral 5-HT4 receptors attenuates colonic sensitivity to intraluminal distension

Tegaserod is a 5-HT(4) receptor partial agonist approved for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in women with constipation and in both men and women with chronic constipation. The efficacy of tegaserod is based on the importance of 5-HT(4) receptors regulating intestinal peristalsis and secretion, and possibly visceral sensory pathways. Our aim was to investigate the effect of tegaserod on colorectal sensitivity using models of normal and exaggerated responsiveness to colorectal distension (CRD). The visceromotor responses (VMR) to CRD at graded pressures (0-60 mmHg) were measured by the number of reflex abdominal contractions. Acute colorectal hypersensitivity was induced by intracolonic infusion of dilute acetic acid. Chronic hypersensitivity was observed in rats following spontaneous resolution of trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced colitis. Rats with normosensitive colons served as controls. Tegaserod (0.1-10 mg kg(-1)) caused dose-dependent reduction of the VMR to CRD in control rats and in those with colonic hypersensitivity. 5-HT(4) antagonists reversed the effects of tegaserod in rats with normosensitive colons, and partially inhibited effects in rats with colonic hypersensitivity. Central administration of tegaserod had no inhibitory effect. These results support the assumption that colonic hypersensitivity could be normalized by tegaserod acting, at least in part, through peripheral 5-HT(4) receptors.     

七氟醚和缺氧预适应诱导乳鼠心肌细胞HSP70表达的改变

目的 :探讨七氟醚预适应和缺氧预适应对乳鼠心肌细胞热休克蛋白 70表达的影响。方法 :第 2代培养心肌细胞随机分为正常对照组 (C组 )、缺氧 /复氧组 (A/R组 )、缺氧预适应组 (IP组 )和七氟醚预适应组 (S组 ) ,每组均缺氧 2h ,复氧 48h。分别取复氧 0 ,1,12 ,2 4,36和 48h的细胞 ,用免疫组化染色检测HSP70 表达并进行图象分析。结果 :在各个时间点 ,S组和IP组间的HSP70 表达均显著高于A/R组和C组 (P <0 .0 1) ,A/R组的HSP70 表达略高于C组 ,S组和IP组间的HSP70 表达差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 )。随着复氧时间的延长 ,S组和IP组间的HSP70 表达从 1h开始增加 ,2 4h表达最强 ,与 1h相比差异具有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :七氟醚预处理和缺氧预处理均可诱导乳鼠心肌细胞HSP70 在延迟相呈高表达 ,提示HSP70 参与了七氟醚预适应和缺氧预适应的延迟保护相。     

成年大鼠纹状体海人藻酸损伤后nestin的表达

目的　 研究成年大鼠纹状体海人藻酸 (kainicacid,KA)损伤后不同时间点nestin的表达并探讨其机制。方法　向成年SD大鼠纹状体内立体定位注射 0 .5 μlKA(1mg/ml) ,分别于手术后第 1、3、7、14天用免疫组织化学法检测纹状体内nestin表达的变化。结果　 正常纹状体内可观察到微弱的淡染nestin样免疫活性阳性细胞 ;大鼠纹状体KA损伤后 1d ,nestin样免疫活性增强 ;第 3天nestin样免疫活性达峰值 ,nestin样免疫活性阳性细胞的胞体肥大 ,突起粗大 ,分支增加 ;此后nestin样免疫活性阳性细胞染色强度减弱 ,其胞体和突起逐渐变小变细。 结论　 成年大鼠纹状体内注射海人藻酸可诱导nestin的大量表达 ,该表达可能与脑损伤后的自身修复相关。     

The impact of obesity on female reproductive function

Obesity may be described as the new worldwide epidemic, and its serious impact on morbidity and mortality are well known. As more and more women become obese, the reproductive problems associated with obesity present an ever-growing challenge to physicians involved in their fertility care. The spectrum of reproductive problems associated with obesity encompasses a wide range of disorders including infertility problems, miscarriage and pregnancy complications. In this review, we aim to discuss the impact of obesity on the various aspects of female reproductive function with focus on the clinical aspects of fertility problems in obese women. We finally comment on the available therapeutic options available to this group of women.     

头皮针对脑缺血模型大鼠血浆内皮素-1的影响

目的 :研究头皮针对脑缺血模型大鼠内皮素 - 1 ( ET- 1 )的影响 ,并与电针组比较。方法 :Wistar大鼠 5 0只 ,随机分正常、假手术、模型、电针、头皮针五组 ,每组 1 0只 ,后四组均于造模后 72小时、1 0天、1 5天取血测 ET- 1 ,并与手术后 6小时测定值进行比较 ;前三组不治疗 ,后两组造模后分别用电针与头皮针治疗。观察治疗前后 ET- 1测定值。结果 :神经功能评分 ,术后 1 0天与 1 5天 ,治疗组与模型组有显著性差异 ( P<0 .0 5～ 0 .0 1 ) ,电针组与头皮针组 ET- 1测定值无明显差异。对ET- 1的影响 ,术后 72小时及 1 0天时 ,治疗组 ET- 1明显低于模型组 ( P<0 .0 5 ) ,头皮针组明显低于电针组 ( P<0 .0 5 )。结论 :头皮针可在脑缺血早期就明显降低血浆 ET- 1含量 ,这可能是头皮针减轻脑缺血损伤并促进肢体功能恢复的机制之一。     

P-glycoprotein,multidrug resistance and tumor progression

P-glycoprotein (Pgp) is a plasma membrane protein that was first characterised in multidrug resistant cell lines. The occurrence of Pgp in clinical tumors has been widely studied. Recent investigations have begun to focus on the relationship between Pgp detection in tumors and treatment outcome. In several types of tumors, detection of Pgp correlates with poor response to chemotherapy and shorter survival. P-glycoprotein overexpression often occurs upon relapse from chemotherapy but may also occur at the time of diagnosis. Studies of experimental rat liver carcinogenesis have shown that Pgp expression increases in late stages of carcinogenesis, suggesting that Pgp may be involved in tumor progression. While some of the Pgp isoforms are known to transport hydrophobic chemotherapeutic drugs out of tumor cells, the biologic effects of Pgp overexpression in tumor cells are not fully understood, because the spectrum of substrates for Pgp-mediated transport has not been determined. In the rat liver carcinoma model, strong expression of Pgp is associated with a highly vascular stroma, suggesting that Pgp in tumor cells may affect the connective tissue stroma. The regulation of Pgp appears to be complex, and little is known about how it is up-regulated during carcinogenesis. Further studies of the role of Pgp in malignancy may contribute to our understanding of molecular mechanisms which underlie tumor progression.