The Helmholtz Total Artificial Heart Labtype

Abstract: To perform the first experimental tests for validation of a new gear unit concept, the pump chamber, diaphragm, and pusher plate design of an orthotopic electromechanical total artificial heart (TAH) (Helmholtz Labtype) was manufactured. In its early stage of development, it provides some of the most important features of the conceptual final artificial heart. The new gear unit transforms a uniform unidirectional rotational motor movement into translatory pusher plate movements, with resting phase in the end–diastolic position, and the angled pump chamber orientation determines the available space for the motor and gear unit. Furthermore, this labtype provides flexibility with regard to use of different types of structural parts for experimental investigations. The first in vitro test results, obtained with specially designed circulatory mockloops that simulate physiological preload and afterload conditions, are presented. They comprise pressure and flow generation, motor performance, efficiency, and energy consumption. The results prove the feasability of the new gear unit concept for an electromechanical artificial heart and allow a reliable determination of the necessary performance of the future brushless DC motor for the first in vivo TAH model.     

低剂量阿司匹林在辅助生育技术中的应用

目的　探讨在进行体外受精 -胚胎移植 ( IVF-ET)或卵母细胞浆内单精子注射 ( ICSI)患者口服低剂量阿司匹林对治疗结果的影响。　方法　 IVF或 ICSI治疗的 3 2 4个 ET周期 ,分为是否服用阿司匹林两组 ,分别统计患者注射人绒毛膜促性腺激素 ( h CG)时子宫内膜厚度及 ET胚胎数 ,比较两组的胚胎种植率、临床妊娠率及流产率 ,并进行统计学处理。　结果　两组在注射 h CG日内膜平均厚度、ET中优质胚胎的比率及流产率均无显著性差异 ;未服用阿司匹林组的 ET胚胎数明显多于服用组 ( P<0 .0 1 ) ,而前者的种植率、临床妊娠率却明显低于后者 ( P<0 .0 1 )。　结论　低剂量阿司匹林在 IVF-ET或ICSI的辅助生殖治疗中能有效地提高胚胎种植率 ,增加患者的临床妊娠率     

The effect of adrenalectomy on stress-induced c-fos mRNA expression in the rat brain

Previously, we determined the pattern of stress-induced c-fos mRNA expression throughout the brain in order to gain further insight into the identification of the neural circuits mediating stress-induced regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. In the present study, we determined if rapid effects of increased glucocorticoid levels after stress contribute to changes in c-fos mRNA expression. To this end, stress-induced c-fos expression was characterized in adrenalectomized (ADX) or adrenalectomized and corticosterone replaced (ADX/B) male rats. Animals were sacrificed 30 min post-onset of a 10 min swim stress, and in situ hybridization histochemistry was used to detect c-fos mRNA throughout the brain. The pattern of c-fos induction in the ADX and ADX/B animals was similar to that observed in the sham operated animals. Additionally, densitometric measurements were made to quantify the c-fos response in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and the CA1/2 region of the hippocampus. We found that ADX did not alter the magnitude of the c-fos response to stress in these areas, but there was a slight dampening of the response in ADX/B animals. In sum, these results suggest that the pattern of c-fos expression observed 30 min post-stress is independent of stress-induced increases in circulating glucocorticoid concentrations.     

母亲苯丙酮尿症后代的脑MRI表现

目的 提高对母亲苯丙酮尿症(MPKU)后代脑MRI表现的认识。资料与方法 报告2例生化及临床检查证实为MPKU双胞胎的．MRI改变，并复习文献。结果 文中2例表现与文献报道不一致．与苯丙酮尿症患儿的表现相似。常规T2WI及FLAIR均显示室周白质、侧脑室三角区、半卵圆中心条片状高信号。弥散加权成像(DWI)除更清楚地显示上述改变外，尚显示双侧内囊后肢及胼胝体压部信号增高。结论 常规T2WI及FIJAIR上可显示MPKU后代脑白质异常，DWI可提供更多诊断依据。     

氯喹敏感与抗性株恶性疟原虫对青蒿琥酯、克林霉素及其联用的体外敏感性

目的 为了解氯喹敏感和抗性株恶性疟原虫对青蒿琥酯、克林霉素及其二联用的敏感性。方法 运用Rieckmann体外微量法测定原虫对药物的敏感性。结果 氯喹敏感株恶性疟原虫对青蒿琥酯、克林霉素及青／克联用的ID50分别为2.8、3784.7及6.4/2046.6nmol/L；抗性株原虫对上述药物的ID50分别为8.1、1652.1及2.35/1409.4nmol/L。结论 抗氯喹恶性疟原虫对克林霉素无交叉抗性。青蒿琥酯与克林霉素联用在体外测定中，其抗疟作用对抗性株明显优于敏感株。     

半乳糖凝集素PPL13在人胎盘血管内皮细胞中表达的实验研究

目的：以原位杂交法检测PPL13在人胎盘组织的表达情况。方法：用DIG标记的PPL13有义RNA探针及反义RNA探针与胎盘组织切片进行原位杂交。结果：反义RNA探针杂交标本显色3h，显微镜下可见胎盘毛细血管内皮细胞中出现棕色沉淀物，滋养层细胞中未见棕色沉淀物；而有义RNA探针杂交标本显色24h仍无棕色沉淀物出现。结论：PPL13在人胎盘内皮细胞中特异性表达．提示PPL13可能与胎盘的屏障作用有关。     

IVF周期中性激素水平的改变与临床妊娠率的相关性

目的探讨超排卵周期中血清雌、孕激素水平的变化及其与临床妊娠率的关系。方法56例不孕患者经普通IVF-ET(包括ICSI)过程,于注射FSH或HMG(启动日)、启动后4～7天、注射HCG日测定血清雌、孕激素、FSH、LH水平,于停经后6～8周行腹部B超检查示宫腔内孕囊存在并伴HCG上升则确认为临床妊娠。将临床妊娠组(23例)及非临床妊娠组(33例)的上述3日雌、孕激素、FSH、LH水平作一回顾性的分析对比。结果雌、孕激素、FSH水平随周期天数增加而增加,LH水平随周期天数增加而减少;临床妊娠组比非临床妊娠组雌、孕激素、FSH、LH水平略低,以HCG日较为明显,但两组雌、孕激素、FSH、LH水平间没有明显差异(P>0.05)。结论在IVF周期中, 临床妊娠率可能与多种因素有关,雌,孕激素的水平对胚胎着床的影响将有待我们提高样本量进一步探讨。     

Integrated plasma cortisol concentration in children with asthma receiving long-term inhaled corticosteroids.

We assessed the effect of long-term therapy with inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) on the pituitary-adrenal axis, by measuring the integrated concentration (IC) of plasma cortisol in eight children with asthma (age, 6-16 years) who regularly used inhaled BDP in doses ranging from 8 to 26.5 micrograms/kg (200-450 micrograms/day) for 6 months to 4 years. The control group included six children (age, 6-16 years) who had the IC of plasma cortisol measured as part of an endocrinological evaluation and were found to be healthy. Cortisol concentration was measured in blood samples collected continuously over a 24-hr period. Mean IC of plasma cortisol in the study group was significantly lower than in the healthy controls (mean +/- SD, 4.9 +/- 3.3 vs 9.1 +/- 1.9 micrograms/mL; P less than 0.02). Cortisol response to 0.25 mg ACTH (iv) was abnormal in one of the eight BDP-treated patients. No correlation was found between IC of plasma cortisol and the BDP dose, severity of asthma, height percentile, or the Tanner stage. We conclude that long-term therapy, even with relatively conventional doses of inhaled BDP may cause reduction in the normal physiological secretion of cortisol. The clinical relevance of low IC of plasma cortisol is not clear, but it may reflect partial suppression of the pituitary-adrenal axis.     

Activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in mice selected for left- or right-handedness

Asymmetry in brain modulation of the immune system has been previously described. In mice, paw preference has been shown to be associated with immune reactivity but the mechanisms involved in such an association are not yet known. The autonomic nervous system and the neuroendocrine system are considered as major candidates for neural influences on the immune system. In the present study, the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis of adult female mice selected for paw preference (left-handers vs. right-handers) was assessed by measuring both adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone plasma levels, as well as the in vitro responses of hypothalamus and adrenocortical cells to various hormone releasing stimuli. The results reported here showed no difference in the activity of the HPA axis between left- and right-handed mice, suggesting that this neuroendocrine axis is not implicated in the association between functional brain asymmetry and immune reactivity. However, our results do not exclude the possibility that the HPA axis could play a role in such an association under other circumstances, such as during development or stressful situations.     

Prospective randomized study of D-Trp6-LHRH versus buserelin in long desensitization protocols for medically assisted conception cycles

In a prospective, controlled, randomized study where two differentagonists were used, we compared three different long desensitizationprotocols for induction of multiple follicular growth in medicallyassisted conception cycles. In protocol A, 30 patients wereinjected with buserelin twice a day for 15 days prior to ovarianstimulation until human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration.In protocol B, 30 patients were injected with a single doseof long acting Triptorelin (3.75mg) 15 days before the ovarianstimulation onset. In protocol C, 30 patients were injectedwith the long acting Triptorelin 4 weeks before ovarian stimulationfollowed by daily administration of 0.1 mg of the same agonistuntil HCG injection. There was no difference in the ovarianresponse to exogenous gonadotrophin stimulation, except forthe presence of premature luteinization in two patients in groupB. A significantly higher number of mature oocytes was collectedfrom patients with protocol A; however, the fertilization andcleavage rate demonstrated no significant difference among thethree groups of patients. The ongoing pregnancy rate and theimplanation rate per treatment cycle were very similar in thethree study groups. When the convenience, cost and side-effectsfor the patient are being considered, protocol B should be selectedas the first choice when the agonist is utilized for the purposeof inducing pituitary desensitization before and during ovarianstimulation.