Stability of intracranial self-stimulation following hypophysectomy

The possibility of a hypothalamo-pituitary involvement in the intracranial self-stimulation phenomenon was investigated. Threshold and optimal stimulation currents were identified by means of the method of limits, in rats with bipolar electrodes implanted in the lateral hypothalamus. Total or sham hypophysectomies were performed after the establishment of these current values, and found to have no effect on reinforcing brain stimulation. It was concluded that a hypothalamo-pituitary mechanism does not subserve reinforcing brain stimulation.     

Linkage of human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein gO variant groups identified from worldwide clinical isolates with gN genotypes, implications for disease associations and evidence for N-terminal sites of positive selection

Previously, we identified the glycoprotein gO gene, UL74, as a hypervariable locus in the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) genome [Virology 293 (2002) 281]. Here, we analyze gO from 50 isolates from congenitally infected newborns, transplant recipients, and HIV/AIDS patients from Italy, Australia, and UK. These are compared to four gO groups described from USA transplantation patients [J. Virol. 76 (2002) 10841]. Phylogenetic analyses identified seven genotypes. Divergence between genotypes was up to 55% and within 3%. Discrete linkage was shown between seven hypervariable gO and gN genotypes, but not with gB. This suggests interactions, while gN and gO are known to form complexes with distinct conserved glycoproteins gM, gH/gL, respectively, both are involved in fusogenic entry and exit. Codon-based maximum likelihood models showed evidence for sites of positive selection. Further analyses of disease relationships should take into account these newly defined gO/gN groups.     

CD8 is needed for positive selection but differentially required for negative selection of T cells during thymic ontogeny

During thymic development, immature thymocytes expressing major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted T cell receptors (TcR) differentiate into CD8⁺ T cells with cytolytic functions. To evaluate the role of CD8 in positive and negative selection during thymic ontogeny, mice rendered CD8-null by gene targeting were bred with three lines of transgenic mice expressing unique MHC class I-restricted TcR. In all three instances CD8 was required for positive selection of MHC class I-restricted transgenic T cells. The efficiency of positive selection decreased in accordance with a reduced level of CD8 expression on thymocytes. Surprisingly, there was a differential requirement for CD8 expression in negative selection of MHC class I-restricted thymocytes, depending on the antigen specificity of TcR. These observations show that CD8 is essential for positive selection but is differentially required for negative selection of MHC class I-restricted T cells. Thus thymic selection, at least for negative selection, can occur in the absence of the CD8 accessory molecule.     

Dose-response relationship for a positive inotropic effect of insulin on isolated papillary muscle

Summary Beneficial effect of glucose and insulin on the myocardium are still a matter of discussion. The influence of insulin on isometric force of contraction of right ventricular papillary muscles of guinea pigs war studied. The papillary muscles were mounted vertically in a 95% O₂, 5% CO₂ modified Krebs-Hensuleit solution (31.5° C, 5.5 mM glucose) and stimulated 1/s. A positive inotropic effect of insulin was dedectable at a concentration of 5×10^–4 IU/ml insulin, was half maximal (52% above controle force of contraction) at 8×10^–3 IU/ml and maximal at 10^–1 IU/ml. The maximal positive inotropic effect was observed 4.7±0.6 min after addition of insulin. After the maximum there was a decrease to a steady state level of 109.8±8.5% of control (p<0.05) in 14.6±1.3 min. Higher glucose (16.5 mM) only shifted the half maximal positive inotropic effect to 5.5×10^–3 IU/ml insulin (n.s.). Inhibition of glycolysis with hypoxia or jodoacetate (5×10^–5 M) did not prevent the positive inotropic effect as known as 75% of control force was retained. When glucose transport was blocked with phlorizin (5×10^–3 M) or phloritin (5×10^–4 M) no positive inotropic action of insulin was observed. Therefore we conclude that the positive inotropic effect of insulin in isolated papillary muscles is mediated by inhanced glucose transport.     

A new method for histamine release from purified peripheral blood basophils using monoclonal antibody-coated magnetic beads

A new method for evaluating histamine release from purified basophils was developed. Basophil-containing leukocytes were directly purified from a small amount of peripheral blood using monoclonal antibody BA312-coated magnetic beads. The purified basophils still rosetted to magnetic beads maintained a normal response to anti-IgE and to dust mite allergen in comparison with the conventional method using washed leukocytes. This methodology facilitates the purification of basophils, anti-IgE- and allergen-induced histamine release, and subsequent histamine determination within only 3 h. The released histamine was analyzed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a characteristic detection profile. Since all steps were performed in 96-well microplates, many clinical samples could be analyzed at the same time, permitting easy applications in routine laboratories.     

Thoracic duct lymph and PEEP studies in anaesthetized dogs

PEEP impedes thoracic duct drainage (LF). This can be counteracted by a thoracic duct fistula. Consequently, lung oedema (LOE) should develop during PEEP more slowly with LF at atmospheric pressure (LF_AP) than with LF against jugular venous pressure (LF_JVP). In 12 anaesthetized dogs LOE was produced by Ringer's solution i.v. (2.5 ml/min per kg) for 6 h during PEEP (10 mmHg) with either LF_AP or LF_JVP. Ringer's+PEEP greatly increased aortic, pulmonary artery and wedge pressures, JVP, and cardiac output. Colloid osmotic pressures in plasma and lymph were drastically reduced, pulmonary effective filtration pressure (EFP) rose by about 20 mmHg. LF_JVP increased 7-fold, LF_AP about 19-fold, the respective loss of plasma proteins was 1.83 and 1.06 g/kg during 6 h. Thermal-dye extravascular lung water showed an increment of 68 with LF_JVP versus 43 l/h/g per mmHg with LF_AP. Final lung water content was at any EFP (12.8–31.9 mmHg) lower with LF_AP than with LF_JVP amounting 512 with LF_JVP versus 377 l/g/per mmHg with LF_AP. LF_AP decreased the development of LOE during PEEP by bypassing the PEEP-induced high JVP and thus facilitating the removal of interstitial fluid. It is hypothesized that a thoracic duct fistula might aid the treatment of patients with LOE due to ARDS and therefore requiring high levels of PEEP.     

The β2-adrenoceptor antagonist CGP 20712 A unmasks β2-adrenoceptors activated by (−)-adrenaline in rat sinoatrial node

Summary The role of sinoatrial ₁- and ₂-adrenoceptors mediating positive chronotropic effects of (–)-adrenaline and (–)-noradrenaline was investigated in rat right atria. Concentration effect curves for (–)-adrenaline, but not for (–)-noradrenaline, became biphasic in the presence of the ₁-adrenoceptors antagonist CGP 20712 A. The curves for (–)-adrenaline in the presence of 300 nmol/l CGP 20712 A (equivalent to 1,000 times its K _B, K _B=0.3 nmol/l for ₁-adrenoceptors) comprise a high-sensitivity component that saturates at 1/4 of maximum effect, and a low sensitivity component. The high-sensitivity component is blocked by the ₂-adrenoceptor-selective antagonist ICI 118,551. These results are consistent with an involvement in the rat of both ₁-adrenoceptors (to a major extent) and ₂-adrenoceptors [only at high (–)-adrenaline concentrations] in the positive chronotropic effects of (–)-adrenaline. (–)-Noradrenaline appears to activate mostly rat sinoatrial ₁-adrenoceptors.     

The Impact of Positive Youth Development Attributes on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Among Chinese Adolescents Under COVID-19

PurposeThis study examined the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among adolescents in mainland China under COVID-19. The direct effects of the perceived threat of COVID-19 and positive youth development (PYD) qualities, as well as the moderating effect of PYD qualities on PTSD symptoms, were studied.MethodsFive schools in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, participated in this study. Two waves of data were collected before school lockdown (Wave 1, between December 2019 and January 2020) and after school resumption (Wave 2, between June 2020 and July 2020), respectively. A total of 4,981 adolescents aged above 11 years (Mean age = 13.15, SD = 1.32 at Wave 1, 51.5% girls) completed questionnaires at both waves. Students responded to measures of PYD qualities at both waves and perceived threat and PTSD symptoms at Wave 2.ResultsA total of 517 adolescents (10.4%) could be regarded as having PTSD. Results indicated significant unique main effects of perceived threat (β = .13, p < .001) and Wave 1 PYD qualities (β = ?.16, p < .001) on PTSD symptoms. Besides, results showed a significant moderating effect of PYD qualities in mitigating the negative impact of perceived threat on PTSD symptoms.ConclusionsThis study revealed the protective effect of PYD attributes in reducing the negative influence of traumatic situations such as COVID-19 on adolescent mental health. Results underscore the importance of promoting PYD qualities in adolescents in mainland China via effective PYD programs.     

东营区≥45岁人群结直肠癌初筛结果分析及肠镜顺应性调查

目的 对东营区≥45岁常住居民进行结直肠癌筛查,并探讨初筛阳性者肠镜顺应性及其影响因素,为提高居民结直肠癌筛查工作提供科学依据。方法 采用方便抽样方法选择辖区内2个镇和3个街道的社区卫生服务中心作为结直肠癌筛查志愿者招募点招募≥45岁常住居民为研究对象开展结直肠癌筛查及问卷调查,对初筛阳性者进一步进行肠镜检查,采用描述性分析方法对居民结直肠筛查结果及肠镜顺应性进行分析,并对其影响因素进行单、多因素分析。结果 本研究共纳入1 201人进行分析,男662人,女539人,45~59岁372人,60~69岁495人,70~79岁334人。初筛阳性人数总计371例,其中危险因素初筛阳性154例,FOBT阳性298例,危险因素和FOBT阳性双阳性者81例,初筛阳性率为30.89%。男性（OR=3.177）、黏液血便史（OR=7.683）以及肠道息肉病史（OR=5.008）为结直肠癌初筛阳性的危险因素。371例初筛阳性者中121例完成结肠镜检查,结肠镜检查顺应率为32.61%。性别（OR=2.776）、年龄（OR=0.511、0.433）、婚姻状况（OR=4.267）、文化程度（OR=2.782、3.916）、医疗保险（OR=2.743）是结直肠癌初筛阳性者结肠镜检查顺应性的影响因素。结论 东营市东营区结直肠癌初筛阳性率较高,应加强对存在黏液血便史以及肠道息肉病史男性个体人群的结直肠癌筛查。居民结直肠镜检查顺应性较低,尤其是60岁及以上、非在婚、文化程度较低、无医保的女性个体,可特异性强化对该群体个体的健康教育,提高其结直肠镜顺应性。     

2009—2019 年重庆市涪陵区15 岁以下人群流感病原学监测结果分析

目的 了解重庆市涪陵区2009—2019年15岁以下人群流感病原学的流行趋势及特征,为今后的流感防控工作提供科学依据。方法 分析2009—2019年涪陵区流感网络监测实验室获得的15 岁以下人群流感样病例（Influenza-like illness,ILI）监测结果。结果 女性ILI病毒分离阳性率（14.53%）和男性阳性率（13.74%）无统计学意义（〖XC小五号.EPSP〗=0.98,P＞0.05）;初中生阳性率最高（23.94%）,其次是小学生（19.69%）、幼儿园儿童（17.10%）,散居儿童最低（7.64%）,差异有统计学意义（〖XC小五号.EPSP〗=238.82,P＜0.05）;各学龄段儿童之间流感病毒类型构成差异有统计学意义（〖XC小五号.EPSP〗=40.71,P＜0.05）;ILI病毒检测阳性率的季节规律呈单、双峰交替出现,2010 年、2014 年、2015 年流行高峰出现在夏季,其余年份流行高峰均在冬春季;主要病原学类型为季H3（36.63%）、B型Victoria系（28.60%）、新甲H1（27.98%）、B型Yamagata系（6.44%）,流感病毒阳性率与ILI病例数变化趋势相关（rs=0.312,P＜0.05）; ILI发病后采样时间、采样后送检时间对标本阳性率有显著影响。结论 涪陵区15岁以下人群流感流行处于上升趋势,流行高峰时间处于动态变化,近年来主要在冬春季;初中生和小学生ILI病毒检测阳性率高于学龄前儿童,提示冬春季要加强中小学校学生流感防控工作。