Cloning of a catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase from the honeybee (Apis mellifera) and its localization in the brain

In the honeybee the cAMP‐dependent signal transduction cascade has been implicated in processes underlying learning and memory. The cAMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKA) is the major mediator of cAMP action. To characterize the PKA system in the honeybee brain we cloned a homologue of a PKA catalytic subunit from the honeybee. The deduced amino acid sequence shows 80–94% identity with catalytic subunits of PKA from Drosophila melanogaster, Aplysia californica and mammals. The corresponding gene is predominantly expressed in the mushroom bodies, a structure that is involved in learning and memory processes. However, expression can also be found in the antennal and optic lobes. The level of expression varies within all three neuropiles.     

梁金菇多糖促人急性早幼粒细胞白血病细胞系(HL-60)细胞凋亡研究

目的 :观察梁金菇多糖对人类早幼粒细胞白血病细胞系 (HL 6 0 )是否具有凋亡诱导作用 ,并进一步研究半胱天冬酶 3(Caspase 3)基因在此过程中的作用。方法 :四氮唑蓝比色法 (MTT法 )观察梁金菇多糖对HL 6 0细胞的抑制率 ,应用形态学、流式细胞术、DNA凝胶电泳等方法检测细胞凋亡的发生。应用半定量逆转录 聚合酶链反应 (RT PCR)法检测凋亡相关基因Caspase 3mRNA表达的变化。结果 :梁金菇多糖对HL 6 0细胞的生长有明显的抑制作用 ,并诱导肿瘤细胞发生凋亡 ;在HL 6 0细胞凋亡过程中 ,凋亡相关基因Caspase 3转录水平比用药前增强。结论 :梁金菇多糖促HL 6 0细胞凋亡 ,且与Caspase 3基因表达有关     

一起蘑菇致急性中毒事件的现场调查与鉴定

目的 调查分析云南省南华县一起蘑菇中毒事件的处置过程,鉴定引起中毒的毒蘑菇种类,为做好此类中毒事件的处置提供借鉴.方法 收集事件病例资料、流行病学调查、对蘑菇样品进行形态学和分子生物学鉴定并对中毒事件进行分析.结果 流行病学调查发现患者均食用自行采摘并炒制的蘑菇,食量不等,潜伏期2h,出现呕吐、抽搐、意识不清等神经精神型中毒症状,经形态学和分子生物学鉴定为假褐云斑鹅膏和小豹斑鹅膏.结论 本事件是因误食名为假褐云斑鹅膏和小豹斑鹅膏引起的急性中毒.结合流行病学特点和患者临床表现,证实了通过形态学及分子生物学方法对假褐云斑鹅膏和小豹斑鹅膏的物种鉴定具有适用性.     

Neural pathways for the processing of alarm pheromone in the ant brain

Social insects like ants exhibit sophisticated communication by means of pheromones, one example of which is the use of alarm pheromones to alert nestmates for colony defense. In the ant Camponotus obscuripes, we have reported that information about formic acid and n-undecane, alarm pheromone components, is processed in a set of specific glomeruli in the antennal lobe (primary olfactory center). Alarm pheromone signals are then transmitted, mainly via uniglomerular projection neurons (uni-PNs), to the protocerebrum (PR), where sensory signals are integrated to form motor commands for behavioral responses. In this study, we physiologically and morphologically characterized 63 alarm pheromone-sensitive PR neurons in ants by using intracellular recording and staining techniques. Most of the pheromone-sensitive PR neurons had dendrites in the mushroom body (MB), the lateral horn, or the medial PR. Some neurons with dendrites in these areas responded specifically to formic acid or n-undecane and may participate in the control of specific behavioral responses to each pheromone component. Other neurons responded also to non-pheromonal odors, in contrast to uni-PNs, most of which responded specifically to alarm pheromones. Responses to non-pheromonal odors were most prominent in efferent neurons of the MB lobe, suggesting that they may participate in integration of pheromonal and non-pheromonal information. We found a class of PR neurons that receives input in all of these pheromone-processing areas and terminates in a variety of premotor areas. These neurons may participate in the control of pheromone-sensitized aggressive behavior, which is triggered by non-pheromonal sensory stimuli associated with a potential enemy.     

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from champignon and Polish mushroom

Capsicum peppers are widespread both in and out the kitchen. "Human hand" is a contact dermatitis resulting from the direct handling of peppers. Capsaicin also is found in topical agents for treatment of postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy and arthritis. The oleoresin of capsicum is considered a powerfull irritant capable to induce irritant contact dermatitis and non‐immunological contact urticaria. A 81 year‐old man with a severe itchy macular and papular rash induced by Capsidol® initially located over the shoulder and sudden spread over the thorax is presented. A dense dermal mononuclear cell infiltrate and spongiosis suggested the diagnosis of contact dermatitis. Negative open tests and a positive patch test reaction (++ 96 hours) using the trade cream Capsidol®(capsaicin 5%) led us to contact with the Pharmaceutical Company Viñas. They provided us the components of the cream: capsaicin, isopropyl myristate, estearic acid (DERVACID 3148), propylene glycol, glycerin monomyristate (ESTOL3650GMM), AMPHISOL K, Cetyl alcohol (NACOL 16–85), benzyl alcohol, diazolidinyl urea (GERMALL II), p‐hydroxybenzoate–methylsodium (NIPAGIN M sódic), p‐hydroxybenzoate propyl (NIPASOL M). Capsaicin in benzyl alcohol at 0,075% was open tested with negative results. Only patch test with capsaicin was positive (++) at 48/96 hours and the excipient components at the appropiate concentrations were all negative. Patch test biopsy showed an eczematous pattern. Twenty controls showed negative results. This case is probably an allergic reaction but shows how still remains difficult to distinguish among allergic and irritative cutaneous reactions.     

Hallucinogenic plants of abuse

Man has used hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms for centuries. The characteristics of these plants that led to their incorporation into important ritualistic and spiritual traditions, however, have also resulted in their widespread propagation and abuse. Hallucinogenic plants have long been depicted as innocuous substances, yet their unpredictable nature makes intoxication potentially dangerous. In present‐day society, there is greater access to these drugs and a growing trend among the younger generations to experiment with these plants in a recreational fashion. Emergency physicians need to be aware of the potential sources of plant hallucinogens and the spectrum of toxic effects. A review of the more common hallucinogenic plants and fungi is discussed with reference to historical, pharmacological and clinical aspects of these intoxications.     

Oviposition preference for and positional avoidance of acetic acid provide a model for competing behavioral drives in Drosophila

Selection of appropriate oviposition sites is essential for progeny survival and fitness in generalist insect species, such as Drosphila melanogaster, yet little is known about the mechanisms regulating how environmental conditions and innate adult preferences are evaluated and balanced to yield the final substrate choice for egg-deposition. Female D. melanogaster are attracted to food containing acetic acid (AA) as an oviposition substrate. However, our observations reveal that this egg-laying preference is a complex process, as it directly opposes an otherwise strong, default behavior of positional avoidance for the same food. We show that 2 distinct sensory modalities detect AA. Attraction to AA-containing food for the purpose of egg-laying relies on the gustatory system, while positional repulsion depends primarily on the olfactory system. Similarly, distinct central brain regions are involved in AA attraction and repulsion. Given this unique situation, in which a single environmental stimulus yields 2 opposing behavioral outputs, we propose that the interaction of egg-laying attraction and positional aversion for AA provides a powerful model for studying how organisms balance competing behavioral drives and integrate signals involved in choice-like processes.     

梁金菇多糖对辐射损伤小鼠造血功能的影响

目的：研究梁金菇多糖（LJPS）对造血功能辐射损伤的治疗作用及机理。方法：用造血祖细胞克隆法，内源性脾结节形成法，骨髓有核细胞计数及脾脏指数等方面观察了LIPS对60^Coγ射线照射5．5Gy小鼠造血功能的影响，并用免疫组化法检测辐射骨髓及脾脏细胞的 bcl-2蛋白的表达。结果：LJPS辐射后第7天骨髓CFU－GM，CFU－E，CFU－F数量增加，辐射第14天的骨髓有核细胞数，脾脏指数，CFU－S明显增多，辐射第3，7，14天骨髓，脾脏bcl-2蛋白表达上升。结论：LJPS对小鼠造血功能辐射损伤具有治疗作用，其机理与调节骨髓，脾脏bcl-2蛋白表达有关。     

Percutaneous stenting for malignant biliary stenosis

Summary Percutaneous stenting for malignant biliary stenosis is quite beneficial to patients with unresectable or recurrent disease, tremendously improving the quality of their lives. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) was attempted in 92 patients with obstructive jaundice during the period between January 1986 and July 1989. Implantation of an endoprosthesis was performed in 14 cases (15.2%) and succeeded in 12 (85.7%). When a guide wire could not be passed distally across the stricture site, percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) through the dilated PTBD fistula was carried out to enable its passage. PTCS is also valuable in the preoperative diagnosis of obstructive jaundice. The patients who are not candidates for surgery are suitable for this procedure. A Miller double-mushroom stent is used as the endoprosthesis in the majority of cases. One patient with recurrent hepatoma has lived at home with this stent for >3 years due to repeated transarterial embolization and chemotherapy and does not need to wash or change the stent.