Surface behavior of axolemma monolayers: Physico-chemical characterization and use as supported planar membranes for cultured Schwann cells

The axolemma membrane forms a stable and reproducible monomolecular layer at the air-aqueous interface. The major lipids and proteins are present in this monolayer in molar ratios similar to the original membrane. Acetylcholinesterase and Na-K-ATPase activities are preserved in the monolayer to levels of 64% and 25%, respectively. The total lipid fraction forms a homogeneously mixed phase. The presence of proteins in the monolayer introduces surface inhomogeneties. Among other features, this is revealed by the presence of two values of lateral pressure at which the monolayer shows partial or total collapse: a broad partial collapse at surface pressures between 13 to 30 mN/m and a sharp collapse point at 46 mN/m. The average molecular areas, the broad collapse point, and the variation of the surface potential per molecule suggest the relocation of protein components at surface pressures between 13 to 30 mN/m. The behavior is consistent with the extrusion and exposure of proteins toward the aqueous medium that depends on the lateral pressure. Schwann cells grown on coverslips coated with axolemma monolayers at 13 mN/m (beginning of the broad collapse) and 34 mN/m (above the broad collapse) recognize the difference in the surface organization of axolemma caused by the lateral pressure which affects their proliferation, morphology, and spatial pattern of organization. Our results show for the first time that response of Schwann cells depends on the intermolecular organization of the axolemma surface with which they interact. These results suggest that the local expression of putative surface molecules of axolemma that may mediate membrane recognition and the signalling of morphological and proliferative changes can be modulated by long range supramolecular properties. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Galanin gene expression declines with adulthood in the cholinergic fields of the horizontal diagonal band of male rats

The neuropeptide galanin (GAL) influences leaming and memory processes, perhaps by inhibiting cholinergic function. We recently reported that, in the rat, the nucleus of the horizontal limb of the diagonal band (HDB) exhibits the highest level of GAL mRNA coexpression by basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic neurons and, in the HDB, virtually all GAL mRNA-expressing neurons correspond to the cholinergic cell type. Since GAL gene expression is induced across puberty in many brain regions, we used in situ hybridization histochemistry and quantitative autoradiography to assess GAL gene expression across the rostro-caudal extent of the HDB in prepubertal and adult male rats and to determine whether GAL gene expression is also regulated during maturation in this BF region. Our results show that the number of GAL mRNA-expressing cells per section is significantly reduced in the HDB with adulthood. Post-hoc analysis indicated that these age-associated differences in the number of GAL mRNA-expressing cells per section could be ascribed to the rostral and central subregions of the HDB. Age-related differences in the labeling intensity of GAL mRNA-expressing neurons were also detected in the rostral and central subregions of the HDB. No age-associated differences in GAL gene expression were found in the caudal HDB subregion. These results suggest that: (1) in contrast to other brain regions, GAL gene expression in the cholinergic BF may be negatively regulated by factors concomitant with puberty; and (2) the inhibition of cholinergic function by cosecreted GAL may be enhanced prior to puberty within cholinergic neurons of the rostral and central aspects of the HDB.     

Interruption of pulmonary arterial flow with inadequate ventilation leads to pulmonary infarction

We examined the effect of interruption of pulmonary arterial flow and inadequate ventilation on the development of pulmonary infarction in rats. Pulmonary arterial flow was blocked by the injection of agar into the inferior vena cava and inadequate ventilation was produced by obstructing the left main bronchus with a polypropylene tip. Histological and angiographic examination of the lung demonstrated that: pulmonary artery embolism alone does not induce pulmonary infarction; obstruction of a bronchus does not induce significant changes, but that pulmonary infarction develops when pulmonary artery embolism and obstruction of a bronchus occur simultaneously. It has been thought that pulmonary infarction is caused by acute obstruction of a pulmonary artery, however, the alveolar walls are supplied with oxygen by both the pulmonary circulation and by ventilation. Interruption of pulmonary arterial flow alone is probably not sufficient to induce pulmonary infarction, which is probably caused by deficiency of oxygen supply to the alveolar walls by a synergy between interruption of pulmonary arterial flow and inadequate ventilation.     

核因子-κB与创伤的关系及其在法医病理学中的应用

损伤时间推断是法医病理学的一个研究热点和难点。核因子-κB(NF-κB)是一种核转录调节蛋白,参与多种炎性介质的转录和调控。近年来研究发现NF-κB与机体创伤后的反应密切相关,其在损伤后的时序性表达可望在法医病理学用于损伤时间推断。     

补肾聪耳片对卡那霉素致聋豚鼠听毛细胞修复研究

目的 :探讨补肾聪耳片对卡那霉素致豚鼠感音性神经性耳聋的修复和保护作用。方法 :卡那霉素致聋制作动物实验模型 ,用中药制剂补肾聪耳片进行干预 ,通过听力和耳蜗病理实验观察其改善听力和对耳蜗毛细胞的修复作用。结果 :正常对照组和实验组相比各项观察指标 (耳廓听域反射、听性脑干诱发电位、外毛细胞听毛缺失率差别均有统计学意义 (P<0 01) ,超微结构检查发现中药制剂对耳蜗结构有明显的改善。结论 :补肾聪耳片能恢复神经反射的功能 ,改善耳听力 ,促进毛细胞修复。     

人参总皂甙对不完全性脑缺血后海马CA1区NOS阳性神经元表达的影响

目的探讨人参总皂甙(GS)对不完全性脑缺血及再灌注不同时间后海马CA1区一氧化氮合酶(NOS)的影响及对神经元的保护作用.方法用双侧颈总动脉夹闭加放血的方法制成大鼠不完性脑缺血及再灌注模型,以还原烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸脱氢酶(NADPH-d)组织化学方法观察缺血及再灌注后海马CA1区NOS阳性神经元变化及GS对其的影响.结果单纯缺血组海马CA1区在缺血30min时NOS阳性细胞数最高(44.5±7.42),为假手术组2倍,再灌注2h、12h、24h、3d后逐渐下降,5d时恢复正常水平(21.12±3.50),缺血再灌注3d、5d时出现神经细胞损伤.GS能抑制缺血30min及再灌注各时程中NOS阳性神经元数量变化,并能预防缺血再灌注后迟发的神经元损害.结论GS对大鼠不完全性脑缺血及再灌注不同时程后海马CA1区NOS的异常表达有抑制作用,对神经元的保护作用.     

重组人红细胞生成素治疗肾性贫血的临床分析

目的　观察重组人红细胞生成素 (RhEPO)对肾性贫血的治疗作用。方法　根据使用EPO剂量的不同将 39例慢性肾衰竭并血液透析病人分成 4组 ,观察治疗后 2、4、12个月时与治疗前 (0月 )相比红细胞数 (RBC)、红细胞比积 (Hct)及血红蛋白含量 (Hb)的变化。结果　 2 4例使用EPO10 0 - 15 0IU/ (kg·w) (6 0 0 0IU/w - 90 0 0IU/w) ,治疗后RBC、Hct、Hb较治疗前有显著升高 (P≤ 0 .0 0 1) ;5例使用EPO5 0IU/ (kg·w) (30 0 0IU/w) +间断输血患者 ,其RBC、Hct、Hb升高不显著 ;10例不用EPO而单纯输血患者 ,其RBC、Hct、Hb无明显变化 (P >0 .0 5 )。结论　EPO能较好地纠正肾性贫血 ;单纯输血不能治疗肾性贫血     

妊娠妇女凝血-抗凝与纤溶测定的临床意义

目的：检测妊娠妇女和妊高征患者凝血与纤溶的变化，探讨孕妇在不同状态下各项指标的临床意义。方法：将63例妊娠妇女分为正常孕妇组43例和妊高征20例，采用磁珠凝固法检测凝血酶原时间(PT)、部分活化凝血酶时间(APTT)、凝血酶时间(TT)、纤维蛋白原(Fbg)和游离蛋白S(FPS)；免疫比浊法检测D-二聚体(D-D)、血管性血友病因子(vWF)，并与非孕妇的健康对照组作比较。结果：43例孕妇和20例妊高征患者血浆PT、APTT均显示不同程度的缩短；TT延长率在妊娠组仅为1％，而妊高征为18％；两组Fbg水平增高明显；妊娠组FPS与对照组比较差异无显著性，但妊高征患者表现明显降低；两组D-D水平均增高，且妊高征患者明显增高；妊娠组vWF水平与对照组比较尽管差异无显著性，但仍有3例高于对照组；妊高征患者增高率达100％。结论：妊娠妇女与妊高征患者均存在不同水平的凝血活化、纤溶亢进和内皮细胞一定程度的损伤，妊娠期作凝血-抗凝、纤溶指标的检测，对预防出血，降低DIC等的发生率具有指导意义。