Research review: DNA polymerases as molecular markers of the regenerating capacity of hepatocytes

Hepatocyte regeneration has been widely investigated, with the mitotic index and the incorporation of [³H]thymidine being used as regeneration markers. We focused on the induction of DNA replication enzymes, particularly DNA polymerases (pol) α, δ, and ε. Using rat models, we have shown that the activity of pol α in crude liver extract well represents the regenerating capacity of hepatocytes. Using pol α as an indicator, we analyzed liver regeneration in rat models under various conditions: obstructive jaundice, external or internal biliary drainage, and the obstruction of portal vein branches. It has been revealed that the ligation of the common bile duct alone induces a certain amount of hepatocyte proliferation. It was striking that external biliary drainage suppressed regeneration capacity in cholestatic rat liver after partial hepatectomy. The strong regeneration in nonligated lobes induced by portal branch ligation was similar to the liver regeneration seen after partial hepatectomy with respect to the induction of DNA polymerases. Taken together, the aspects of DNA replication, particularly the induction of DNA polymerases, may contribute to shedding new light on the regeneration of human liver. This work was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for General Scientific Research and for Cancer Research from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Japan, and by grants from the Uehara Memorial Foundation     

8kg以下婴儿室间隔缺损伴肺动脉高压手术治疗

为提高小婴儿室缺伴肺动脉高压的手术疗效，总结１６例８ｋｇ以下室间隔缺损（室缺）伴肺动脉高压婴儿行急诊手术修补室缺的经验。其中１４例在深低温停循环下进行，手术效果满意；术后死亡１例（６％）。作者认为，婴儿巨型室缺应尽早手术治疗为宜，深低温停循环方法尤为适合；术后强调持续保持病婴镇静及呼吸道通畅，防止肺高压危象的发生。     

完全性肺静脉异位引流的手术治疗经验

为评估影响完全性肺静脉异位引流（ＴＡＰＶＤ）手术纠治的因素，本组纳入了２８例在中度低温体外循环和１５例在深低温停循环下手术纠治者。结果手术死亡４例，死亡率９．３％。随访３２例，２例肺静脉回流梗阻分别于术后５个月和２年３个月死亡。结论认为，ＴＡＰＶＤ必须早期手术防止肺血管阻塞性病变；术后定期随访；改进手术方法，防止心房内补片粘连所致肺静脉回流梗阻。     

缩窄门静脉主干1／2加丝线慢性栓塞术制备犬门静脉高压症模型

目的:探索操作简便且效果满意的门静脉高压症动物模型制备方法.方法:缩窄门静脉主干1/2加丝线慢性栓塞术,通过22条犬进行实验.结果:除1条死亡外.其余21条术后3～4周时门静脉压力升高至2.83±0.66kPa(术前1.33±0.28kPa,P<0.001):胃镜、门静脉造影及病理学检查证实,17条犬有食管胃底曲张静脉形成,形成率80.95%(其中方法完善后制备的14条、形成率100%),12条发生门脉高压性胃病,发生率57.14%.1条观察至术后4月.门静脉高压症表现仍然存在.结论:该法简便易行、建立模型周期短、成功率高且质量可靠并较持久.     

高龄初产妊高征孕妇过氧化反应的研究

目的：探讨高龄初产妊高征孕妇体内过氧化反应。方法：测定正常初产妇、妊高征孕妇妊娠晚期母血过氧化脂质（LPO）、超氧化物歧化酶（DOD）的含量。结果：1．高龄初产妇母血LPO较非高龄初产妇明显升高，SOD明显下降，P＜0．05。孕妇年龄与母血LPO呈明显正相关，与SOD呈明显负相关，P均＜0．05。2．妊高征孕妇LPO较正常孕妇显著增高，SOD显著下降，P＜0．05，并随病情加重LPO水平升高、SOD水平下降更为显著，P＜0．05。3．高龄初产妊高征孕妇母血LPO含量较非高龄初产妊高征孕妇明显增高，P＜0．05，而SOD则无显著变化，P＞0．05。4.妊高征孕妇胎儿宫内生长发育迟缓（IUGR）发生率较正常孕妇显著升高，P＜0．025，各组脐血清LPO、SOD含量无显著差异，P＜0．05。结论：高龄初产妊高征孕妇体内过氧化作用明显增强，LPO水平的升高可能为高龄初产妇妊高征发生率及IUGR发生率增加的原因之一。     

ROLE OF NITRIC OXIDE IN THE CONTROL OF THE RENAL MEDULLARY CIRCULATION

1. Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated as an important controller in the short- and long-term regulation of arterial pressure. Studies performed in our laboratory have demonstrated that chronic intravenous administration of the NO synthase inhibitor N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) selectively decreases renal medullary blood flow, causes sodium and water retention and leads to hypertension. 2. To determine the importance of the renal medullary effects in this model of hypertension, further studies were conducted to examine the influence of selective stimulation or inhibition of renal medullary NO on whole kidney function and cardiovascular homeostasis. With the use of a unique catheter to directly infuse into the renal medullary interstitial space, stimulation (bradykinin or acetylcholine) or inhibition (L-NAME) of renal medullary NO selectively increased or decreased renal medullary blood flow. 3. The changes in medullary flow in these experiments were associated with parallel changes in sodium and water excretion independent of alterations in renal cortical blood flow or glomerular filtration rate. 4. Studies were then undertaken to examine the long-term effects of selective NO inhibition in the renal medulla on cardiovascular homeostasis. Chronic infusion of L-NAME directly into the renal medullary interstitial space of uninephrectomized Sprague-Dawley rats led to a selective decrease in renal medullary blood flow that was sustained throughout the 5 day L-NAME infusion period. The decrease in medullary blood flow was associated with retention of sodium and the development of hypertension and the effects were reversible. 5. The data reviewed indicate that NO in the renal medulla has a powerful influence on fluid and electrolyte homeostasis and the control of blood pressure.     

FEASIBILITY OF CONDUCTING CARDIOVASCULAR OUTCOME RESEARCH IN AUSTRALIAN GENERAL PRACTICE: RESULTS FROM THE ANBP2 PILOT STUDY

1. The present study aimed to determine the feasibility of conducting a 5 year cardiovascular outcome trial of the treatment of 6000 elderly hypertensive patients in Australian general practices. 2. General practitioners (GPs) were invited to participate by mail and personal follow-up. Patient records were reviewed to identify subjects for a blood pressure (BP) screening programme. Blood pressure was measured on three occasions and eligible subjects were included if the average BP was 160 mmHg systolic or 90 mmHg diastolic if systolic BP was 140 mmHg. 3. Seven hundred and forty-one GPs were approached and 89 were enrolled in the study (12% of mail invites and 75% of those receiving a personal contact). In 16 practices where screening was completed, 82 000 records were reviewed to identify 4% patients eligible for screening. Twenty-two per cent of eligible subjects attended screening. Of 1938 subjects screened, 180 (9%) had BP 5=160/90 mmHg. Forty-seven percent of subjects (n = 916) were receiving antihypertensive therapy and 184 (20%) were withdrawn from therapy. One hundred and sixteen (63%) of these subjects had BP return to study entry levels within 6 weeks. Fifty-seven newly diagnosed and 81 previously treated subjects were randomized (7% of the screened population). 4. Based on the high participation rate of GPs, the response rate of patients to attend a BP screening programme and the 7% randomization to screening ratio for entry into the study, the ANBP2 pilot study has demonstrated that it is feasible to recruit subjects from Australian general practices to a cardiovascular outcome trial.     

Benign intracranial hypertension and recombinant growth hormone therapy in Australia and New Zealand

Benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) is reported in three children from Australia and one from New Zealand, who were being treated with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH). Three males and one female, aged between 10.5 and 14.2 y, developed intracranial hypertension within 2 weeks to 3 months of starting treatment. A national database, OZGROW, has been prospectively collecting data on all 3332 children treated with rhGH in Australia and New Zealand from January 1986 to 1996. The incidence of BIH in children treated with growth hormone (GH) is small, 1.2 per 1000 cases overall, but appears to be greater with biochemical GHD (<10IUml ^-1), i.e. 6.5/1000 (3 in 465 cases), relative risk 18.4, 95% confidence interval 1.9-176.1, than in all other children on the database. The incidence in patients with Turner's syndrome was 2.3/1000 (1 in 428 cases). No cases in patients with partial GHD (10–20 IUml ^-1) or chronic renal failure were identified. Possible causative mechanisms are discussed. The authors'practice is now to start GH replacement at less than the usual recommended dose of 14IUm-² week^-1 in those children considered to be at high risk of developing BIH. Ophthalmological evaluation is recommended for children before and during the first few months following commencement of rhGH therapy and is mandatory in the event of peripheral or facial oedema, persistent headaches, vomiting or visual symptoms. The absence of papilledema does not exclude the diagnosis.     

特发性甲状旁腺功能低下（附13例分析）

本文观察分析了13例特发性甲状旁腺功能低下患者、查PTH6例。患者血清中除有本病低血钙、高血磷的固有特征外，其它微量元素也有改变，如血清镁值减低。这与文献[1]的报道相符。碱性磷酸酶2例明显升高。磷廓清率S例降低。肾小管磷重吸收率5例升高。放免甲功：抗甲状腺微粒体2例升高。T细胞亚群1例低于正常值。本病有家族性，与遗传有关。