Stimulation by mitogens and neuronal membranes of lymphocytes from patients with motor neurone disease

Stimulation of lymphocytes from motor neurone disease patients by either concanavalin A or PHA was shown to be significantly depressed relative to that from normal controls, as assayed by incorporation of [3H]thymidine or [3H]leucine or by glucose uptake. Corresponding significant differences were not shown by assays based upon incorporation of [3H]uridine or of lactate release. Lymphocytes from 4 out of 14 motor neurone disease patients showed a blastogenic response to membranes from rat spinal cord cells, compared with those from 0 out of 9 normal controls. These results not only suggest the possibility of an impaired cellular immune control in MND patients but also indicate the presence of lymphocytes sensitised specifically to neuronal membrane components.     

吸入麻醉药作用机制的5埃理论

在过去的20多年中，对吸入麻醉药作用机制的合理解释大量增多，同时也提出了更多目前还不能回答的问题。Eger等提出了吸入麻醉药产生对伤害性刺激无体动反应的作用靶位可能是两个相距5埃的位点的假设，简称5埃理论。现就相关问题作一综述。     

Role of retinol in protecting epithelial cell damage induced by Clostridium difficile toxin A

Vitamin A (retinol), a fat-soluble vitamin, is an essential nutrient for the normal functioning of the visual system, epithelial cell integrity and growth, immunity, and reproduction. Our group has investigated the effect of high doses of oral vitamin A on early childhood diarrhea in our prospective community-based studies from Northeast Brazil and found a beneficial role in reducing the mean duration but not incidence of diarrheal episodes. In this study, we explored the role of retinol supplementation in intestinal cell lines following Clostridium difficile toxin A (TxA) challenge. C. difficile is the most common anaerobic pathogen borne with antibiotic-borne diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. Since retinol is critical for the integrity of tight junctions and to modulate the cell cycle, we have focused on changes in transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) in Caco-2, a more differentiated intestinal cell line, and on models of cell proliferation, migration and viability in IEC-6 cells, an undifferentiated crypt cell line, following TxA injury. In this model, retinol therapy reduced apoptosis, improved cell migration and proliferation, and prevented the reduction in TEER, following C. difficile TxA challenge in a glutamine-free medium. These results suggest the role of retinol in protecting intestinal epithelial barrier function from C. difficile TxA enterotoxic damage.     

羟基红花黄色素A的Caco-2细胞摄取转运研究

 目的研究羟基红花黄色素A(HSYA)的胃肠吸收转运机制。方法采用Caco-2细胞模型考察孵育时间、介质pH、药物浓度及抑制剂(环孢菌素A和叠氮钠)对羟基红花黄色素A摄取转运的影响,并分析HSYA灌胃给药后在大鼠尿及粪中的累积排泄。结果HSYA的摄取符合被动扩散过程,pH7.8环境下药物的细胞摄取量[(1.05±0.045)mg·g^-1]低于pH5.4[(1.24±0.09)mg·g^-1](P<0.05),其在Caco-2单细胞层的表观透过系数(Papp)为(2.16±1.21)×10^-8cm·s^-1,加入环孢菌素A和叠氮钠后其Papp显著提高(P<0.05),分别为(47.92±17.8)×10^-8和(12.53±4.55)×10^-8cm·s^-1。HSYA大鼠灌胃给药(5.6mg·kg^-1)后31h,其尿和粪中的累积排泄量分别为给药剂量的0.74%和28.57%。结论HSYA的吸收基本符合被动扩散过程并有P-gp的参与,其黏膜透过性较差,碱性环境相对不利于药物的吸收。HSYA口服后的胃肠吸收较差,大量的药物被排出体外或在胃肠道内被代谢转化。     

Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy type 1A combined with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

We report a 24-year-old male with an unusual combination of two inherited neuromuscular disorders – Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease type 1A and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). A phenotypic presentation of this patient included features of both these disorders. Nerve conduction studies revealed demyelinating peripheral neuropathy. Electromyography showed a profound myogenic pattern. The serum creatine kinase level was highly elevated. Muscle biopsy revealed a dystrophic picture with deficient dystrophin immunostaining. CMT1A duplication on chromosome 17p11.2 was found. The frame-shift mutation c.3609–3612delTAAAinsCTT (p.K1204LfsX11) was detected in the dystrophin gene by analysing mRNA isolated from the muscle tissue. The patient inherited both these mutations from his mother. The combination of CMT1A and DMD has not been reported as yet.     

Delayed expression of NADPH-diaphorase in rat brain after administration of the cholinotoxin AF64A

Administration of cholinotoxin etylcholine aziridinium (AF64A) into the brain selectively induces nonrever-sible cholinergic deficit. Wistar rats were injected intracerebroventricularly bilaterally with AF64A at doses of 1–3 nmol/ventricle. 28 days later the number of neurons survived was counted in dorsolateral, intermediate and medial groups of cells of the medial septum. AF64A induced a decrease in neuronal density and expression of cholineacetyl transferase at all doses used as well as in all regions studied. Brain sections were also stained for NADPH-diaphorase representing neuronal NO-synthase. Effects of AF64A on NADPH-diaphorase expression depended on the region studied. The number of NADPH-diaphorase-positive cells increased in the medial cellular group where more cholineacetly transferase-positive cells survived. In contrast, decrease in NADPH-diaphorase expression in the dorsolateral group of cells coincided with low level of cholineacetyltransferase-po-sitive neurons. The data presented suggest that in the AF64A-dependent model of neurodegeneration NO may play a neuroprotective function.     

环境电离辐射体源表面剂量率的MC模拟计算及实验比较

目的　对核工业地质勘查计量站的 8个圆柱型环境电离辐射体源和两个本底模型上方不同高度处的空气吸收剂量率进行较为准确的定值。方法　采用蒙特卡罗软件MCNP ,对上述环境电离辐射体源和本底模型上方的空气吸收剂量率进行了模拟计算 ,采用 1台高气压电离室剂量率仪对各环境电离辐射体源和本底模型上方不同高度处的空气吸收剂量率进行了实测 ,模拟计算结果与实测结果以及其他工作者过去所作的剂量率测量和计算结果进行了比较。结果　MC模拟计算值与其他工作者得到的空气吸收剂量率理论值吻合较好 ,最大偏差小于 10 % ,一般偏差小于±5 %。结论　只要各种输入参数准确 ,采用MC模拟计算 ,可以得到辐射体源和本底模型上方不同高度处较准确 (3%不确定度 )的空气吸收剂量率模拟计算值。     

环孢素A逆转野百合碱所诱导的右心室重构

 目的探讨环孢素A(cyclosporine A,CsA)是否逆转野百合碱(monocrotaline,MCT)诱导的右心室重构及其作用机制的初步探讨。方法雄性SD大鼠随机分正常对照组,MCT模型组,CsA低、高剂量组(0.33和1mg·kg^-1)。MCT造模后14～21d给CsA(ig,bid)。造模22d右心导管术检测右室收缩压(RVSP);称右室自由壁(RV)及左心室加室间隔(LV+SEP)重,计算右心肥大指数(RVHI=RV/LV+SEP);光镜及电镜观察右室结构变化;免疫组化检查右室心肌细胞PCNA的表达。结果CsA逆转MCT所引起RVSP、RVHI的升高(P<0.05或P<0.01)、右室心肌细胞肥大、线粒体肿胀变性及PCNA抗原的过表达。高剂量CsA作用更明显。结论CsA(1mg·kg^-1 ig,bid)能明显逆转MCT诱导的右室重构,其机制可能与降低右室后负荷及抑制右室心肌细胞肥大有关。     

Flavocoxid is as effective as naproxen for managing the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee in humans: a short-term randomized,double-blind pilot study

Flavocoxid (Limbrel), a proprietary mixture of flavonoid molecules (baicalin and catechin), was tested against a traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, naproxen, for the management of the signs and symptoms of moderate osteoarthritis (OA) in humans. Discomfort and global disease activity were used as the primary end points, and safety assessments were also taken for both treatments as a secondary endpoint. In this double-blind study, 103 subjects were randomly assigned to receive either flavocoxid [500 mg twice daily (BID)] or naproxen (500 mg BID) in a 1-month onset of action trial. Outcome measures included the short Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index, subject Visual Analogue Scale for discomfort and global response, and investigator Visual Analogue Scale for global response and fecal occult blood. Both flavocoxid and naproxen showed significant reduction in the signs and symptoms of knee OA (P ≤ .001). There were no statistically detectable differences between the flavocoxid and naproxen groups with respect to any of the outcome variables. Similarly, there were no statistically detectable differences between the groups with respect to any adverse event, although there was a trend toward a higher incidence of edema and nonspecific musculoskeletal discomfort in the naproxen group. In this short-term pilot study, flavocoxid was as effective as naproxen in controlling the signs and symptoms of OA of the knee and would present a safe and effective option for those individuals on traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. A low incidence of adverse events was reported for both groups.